more than i could imagine

if fabulous weekends could be scripted, with every player knowing their lines and performing them flawlessly, they wouldn't even come close to how amazingly perfect this past weekend was.
for the last few months, year, YEARS... i had been talking about turning 30. how i wasn't ready for it, how it seemed so scary, how there was still so much in my life that i thought i would have accomplished before IT happened. i gave myself 2 options for bringing in this momentous occasion. option 1~ taking the time off of work, closing the blinds, watching sad movies, and eating my weight in ice cream. (not really the healthiest option) and option 2~ gathering all of my friends and family together and celebrating. i mean, living life to the fullest, partying hard, people will talk about it for weeks kind of celebrating.
and then i got this text from my mom "now that the wedding (she was baking, i was shooting) is over, what do you want to do for your birthday?" my response? "a party." that's all i wanted. to be celebrated. to be loved.
we texted back and forth for a few minutes when she said, "i was thinking of a small, intimate gathering." i didn't respond. i was pouting. but she was just throwing me off. and guess what? it worked!
i got an invitation to a friend's holiday picnic for the 3rd (for which i arrive fashionably late. and by that i mean 45 minutes!)
i pulled up to karen's house, saw all the cars and thought she had an overwhelming response to her first party in her new house. and then i saw the luau sign on the window and thought that it was so fun that instead of a patriotic theme, she went with a luau theme. why would i even suspect a party? my birthday was still a good 12 days away.
and then i walked in the door.

every time i think about when it dawned on me that this was no ordinary holiday picnic; no, this was an EPIC surprise. pulled off by my fabulous mother and my equally fabulous friends, i get chills and i tear up. i have never felt more loved in my entire life.

 (photo courtesy of tanis)

i was handed a tiara right away. i was ushered around to greet close to fifty people. seriously? seriously, this is my life?
i could give you all the play by play (and i will post more pictures as i get them) of the rest of this fabulous day, but instead i will just say "thank you." this party was more than i could imagine. and if i had planned my own party, it would not have come anywhere near the ferocity of this day.

i am loved.