Birthdays and holidays are interesting away from family. I honestly didn't have many expectations for my actual birthday, since Justin headed for Spain right after breakfast. I told myself it would be okay if it was a normal day. BUT, it was actually such a great day and for that, I am so grateful.
Let me back up to a few pre-celebrations before March 31.
We went to the Birkenstock store!
I came home from a Relief Society activity to the house decorated everywhere for my birthday. It was such a fun surprise.
Justin had the day off on March 30, so we drove to Annelies and picked up the best breakfast sandwiches and pancakes we've had in Berlin.
Then we sat down & watched the year-in-review birthday video Justin had put together in the wee hours of the morning after his roadtrip. <3 I'm the luckiest. I watched it over and over again.
That night, I opened presents and a card my parents had sent with my sisters. They've made all of my birthdays feel so special.
The morning of March 31, Logan and Justin serenaded me with Happy Birthday and I got to blow out my candle three times thanks to Logan's request of "again, again!"
Flowers were left on our doorstep from a friend.
Marlies and Ludwig came over and visited, leaving shortbread cookies.
Then around lunchtime, our doorbell rang and I heard a familiar voice say, "Amazon!"
Not one birthday, but TWO have these ladies come and made me feel so special. I opened my door to them singing Happy Birthday, Brazilian style, with beautiful flowers & a cake in hand.
This was the highlight of my day. It takes a lot of quality time to develop friendships and show people all sides of your personality. Over the last three years, Claudia, Timna, Tabi, and Tawana have become very dear friends to me. I think they're some of the only people who know how goofy Justin and I can really be. Ha!
I cried when I saw them. We ate yummy nutella strawberry cake, played with Logan, watched my birthday video, and I just felt so loved.
I felt so loved too by lots of family members and friends, who called, texted, shared pictures, sent money for treats, etc. all the way from across the ocean.
I'm grateful for my two babies who also give me so much love and joy.
& this guy, who is my #1 forever and ever. It was a great #26 birthday. <3
