Happy Birthday to Brettley...
September 20, 2008
I actually put off this diary entry for a little while, probably because I was in a state of denial! Yes people, your blogger turned thirty (I almost typed forty then!).
A surprise party was organised and while I suspected something I didn't exactly know where it was going to be, or who would be there or anything like that...over the months it just felt like something was on!
Anyway my surprise went something like this: was told that the day before my birthday that we'd be going out as a family of four and my Aunty Lyn to a nice, expensive restaurant in the city and that we'd be leaving home sometime around 17:30 so we could be there sometime around 19:00 and we'd be picking Lyn up on the way who only lives around the corner. Dad drove and I requested to sit in the passenger seat so the three girls could sit in the back and talk about their latest observations in Woman's Day or whatever it is they read! We pulled up in Lyn's driveway and mum left the car to get her. I watched her run down the drive, open the door and come running back to the car with word that Lyn was still on the phone and would be another ten minutes. I was a bit annoyed thinking who in their right mind makes a phone call knowing they'll be picked up shortly!
I was already a bit suss about what was happening that night, that we'd be going somewhere and family would be there so I got out of the car and looked for familiar cars around the court...there were none (and some friends have personalised number plates). Being a quiet court nothing looked out of the ordinary, just a few cars I've no doubt seen before. Trudged down the driveway with mum, dad and Wendy with sunglasses atop my head. Noticed all the curtains were drawn along the side of the house...but that's to be expected right because we're going out. As I got closer to the door I could hear voices...but that's to be expected because Lyn's on the telephone and the TV is probably on. A bit closer to the door and noticed Zoe (Lyn's dog) barking at the window in a bedroom which still had the curtains open...thought that was a bit odd. Got within a few feet of the door and dad sorta made a hand gesture suggesting I go in first...that's just dad being polite right? As I was mid-step about to place my first foot inside the door I noticed a streamer hanging from the ceiling but it was too late to process and comprehend because as soon as that foot landed and my body followed a split second later...SURPRISE!!!
Cheeky buggers managed to pull it off! That although I knew something was happening that night I never would've expected it to be held at my Aunts place!!! I've been a few surprise parties in my time and I always think "how dumb must be birthday person be not suspecting anything"...well this time I was the complete dumb-arse! I think for the first five minutes I was speechless that friends and family (even some from Melton) traveled all the way down for me when they could've stayed home and watched the footy instead...it was very humbling.
Gary (Lyn's son) did a magnificent job decorating the place, the family room covered with streamers, balloons and birthday signs along with similar outside. Mum, Lyn and others made the food and dad supplied the drinks. I later found out that things had been planned for months, even invites had been sent out...I'm yet to see an invite to my own party! Birthday cake was chocolate mud...yummy with thirty candles, yes, I counted! It wasn't a massive party, probably about forty in total (some came later on) and everybody who was there would've been the ones I ‘expected' to be there later (except for Jo, I so can't believe you didn't tell me!) when the fictitious party were to be held at some fancy, expensive restaurant in the city!!!
Must have been around 21:30'ish when we cut the cake and made a speech. Even dad said a few words which I never thought I'd live to see the day! A bit more munching, a bit more talking and drinking then it was time to open the pressies...which weren't really necessary considering they all made the trip down. The usual pressies were received (no socks or jocks!) and some wonderfully nice cards (and a stunning pizza box – see attached pictures!). Most people had left by 23:00, expected considering many lived on other side of city. Had some late arrivals that kept us in party mood till about 1am'ish. Home and in bed by 2am.
All in all it was a wonderful night. I'm so glad things weren't on a large scale (on inviting one part of our family, not all three sides!). Certainly not a night I'll be forgetting in a hurry. Those who read this site will know I occasionally feel down, disliked and generally inadequate and a night like this really does help in making me that perhaps I am loved an appreciated more than I'll ever understand.
This diary entry is linked to the photo album: My 30th
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