You're 50! You Are 50!!

Yesterday I hit the big 5-0. I've been ready for this milestone for sometime, so it really didn't feel like the big deal that it is to some people. If I'm being completely honest, I'm not a big fan of all the birthday hoopla...I love other people's birthdays, but I'd just rather have mine be much more low-key. And this year it really ended up being a fun day. I'm going to give a little recap, but I'm going to start backwards at the end of the day...
Just as Mark was coming to bed, he said, "I hope it's been a good birthday." I assured him that it had been absolutely wonderful. Then he said, "You're 50. YOU ARE 50! YOU ARE 50 YEARS OLD!!" He then went on to remind me that he married me when I was only 22 and that we had been together more years than we had been apart. By the time he finished, I couldn't sleep - I am actually 50!
I thought the day was going to be perfect - the Lakers were even going to win their game against Denver in my honor. Okay, that might have been a stretch. However, somewhere in the 3rd quarter they lost control and the Nuggets stole my birthday win away from them. Bummer.
During the game I got a cute call from "S" and "E" wishing me a happy birthday. I adore them...and it was a fun diversion since by that time I could tell the Lakers were blowing my birthday win.
I'm going to publically acknowledge that I'm not a big fan of FB (if you don't know what that is, email me) HOWEVER, last night "P" wrote a birthday message on my wall that I'll probably love forever. You're a pretty amazing teenager if you don't mind telling the world via FB how much you love your mom.
I love my birthday for a variety of reasons - one being the date - 11/11. It just seems lucky...and next year it will be 11/11/11! I've got to have some type of amazing party or something for that. Another reason I love it is because here sunny CA, we actually honor our veterans and so that day is a holiday...unlike other states which shall remain nameless but rhyme with Btah. Since the girls had the day off of school, the four of us had lunch together and then to truly ring in my 50th I had dessert - which I almost never do and afterwards wished I didn't. We did a little birthday shopping together and had a great time being together. I remember a few years ago - the first year Sean was home from his mission and before Ryan had left for school; we all spent the day together and I can't even tell you how much I love those times.
First thing in the morning I got a couple of texts - one from "B" who had spent the night at a friends. She had set an alarm so that even though she was up late, she could wake up early and text me a happy birthday. How sweet is that. I also got a sweet text from "S" who wished me a happy day also. When I picked up the girls, they jumped into the car all chanting "Happy Birthday."
Now, how can you top that day? 50 is off to a pretty good start.