Out-Planned, Outwitted: My 35th Birthday Surprise

In my family, we celebrate Birthday Weeks. Since marrying Dan, he's done a nice job of keeping up with the tradition. It usually means little happies, like a fun magazine or a Starbucks card, every day leading up to the big day. I turn 35 a week from today and that means birthday week began this morning.

I'll be honest...I was starting to feel a little blue (or rather, gray, like the hair of the same color I found in my crown this week - what timing!) about it. Not because I begrudge aging; I made a promise long ago not to ever lie about my age, because the alternative to not having birthdays is well....

BUT. I've been a tad bummed that, despite a little nudge here and there, Dan seemed to have really dropped the ball with making ANY plans for my birthday. That seems a tad whiney, I realize, but 0's and 5's are a big deal, no? 

After no formal plans were made to mark my looming 35th, I did want any event planning control freak does: I made a dinner reservation myself. I invited friends on my own. I requested the kind of cake I wanted. Then, I bitched a little about having to do it.

Early this morning, still inside the echos of my complaints, in swoops Dan with a big reveal, by way of my best friend Cassie's blog:

With the help from my friends, Dan and Cassie had been planning a secret trip to Atlanta (and a totally indulgent spa day!) for months. I leave on Friday and I cannot wait!

Some people get wiser, more patient, and less self-centered with age.  Seems like all I have to show for 35 years is some gray hair....and a lot of people who make me feel so, so loved.