So this past Sunday I turned 28 years old. I didn't really have anything planned, but then a week prior, decided on a whim to gather my friends together and have a dance party. Mind you, I've never thrown myself a birthday party and honestly didn't know what to expect. Things really started to come together, however, and as the week progressed, I found myself getting more and more excited. Shaun let me borrow his sound bar and even came by and installed it. The Werners let me borrow their disco party lights and then I started to plan what I wanted to bake for the party and began to designate certain food items to close friends. And then people started saying yes, that they would come and I found myself getting more and more pumped. The day of my birthday, I went to church and came home and began to bake the cake (a yellow sheet cake with fresh berry (raspberry/blueberry/blackberry) buttercream frosting designed in a wavy, stripe-y pattern resembling a Missoni-patterned dress. I had a designated table with all the dessert items: sugar cookies/cupcakes with the above berry frosting/chocolate meringue/Italian cookies). The kitchen table had an assortment of food items (cheese/cracker platter, bread/baked cheese dip, veggie platter, tortilla chips/Rob's green sauce, ceviche, chips, fresh fruit). Here are some of the highlights from the dance party:
-My friends came with flowers! Alma came walking up the stairs with the most beautiful, eye-catching arrangement and Jane got me a bouquet of lilies/roses.
-Everyone I invited seemed to get along (I invited all my different friend groups (work/church/Lawndale) and it was such a joy to see everyone assembled in one room.
-A friend from church made me a birthday playlist and the music was so fun to dance to. Also, the sound bar was amazing and it actually sounded like a dance club in my house. The disco lights also helped.
-I prepared a semi-sentimental speech in front of everyone. And then we cut the cake!
-I'm thankful that we didn't sing happy birthday. I don't know why I hate people singing this to me, but I do.
-The day after, Ambria came home and I got to assemble all the leftover party food and we got to have dinner together.
-Leftover birthday cake is everything. So is the sound bar (I've been dancing by myself in the house).
I'm so thankful that I got to host people and throw this party. Coming out of the pandemic, it was so refreshing to be together and also to have everyone in my house. I'm thankful for the people in my life and the ways in which the Lord continually opens my heart to others. I look forward to the surprises the Lord has up ahead for this year.
