Festivities actually began (unofficially) Friday night with a lovely date. (That’s date #6, for anyone keeping track…) I know, I’m being a bit tight-lipped about this whole business, but all in good time… 😉 We went out for dinner at a cozy little Italian place. Good food, even better dessert (Tiramisu. mmmm….). He got me some incredibly thoughtful birthday gifts, which was a big surprise to me…I certainly didn’t expect anything!
I arrived home to a big surprise…my friend Shannon and her boyfriend Craig from Boston had come into town late Friday to spend the weekend! I had no idea they were coming.
We got ready and headed out to Erie, where we met up with my friends Jen and Tim from Cleveland for lunch at Max & Erma’s. (I know a lot of Jennifers and a lot of Stephanies. it gets confusing…). We had a nice visit, and they had the waitstaff bring cake and sing to me. After lunch, I met up with Eden and baby Zoe for a too-brief but very nice visit at Borders.
Came back to the apartment, which my friend Susan and her boyfriend Todd had decorated while we were out. My friend Caren was waiting there to meet us (also a surprise. I had no idea she was coming…). We all visited and chatted and had a few drinks (Jen created the 30-tini…a concoction of raspberry vodka, Sprite, fruit juice and raspberry schnapps) and several jello shots before heading to South Buffalo for the Jackdaw show.
Our dear friends Stephanie and a couple of HER friends met us there. I saw some of the people I know from the Jackdaw shows…one of them bought me a shot. A number of them expressed great surprise at my age, which is always fun. 😉 I got a happy birthday wish from the band, and I danced up a storm! Heard lots of the new music, which (as I suspected) was even better live! OH! and a big thank-you needs to go out to the band for playing “Sorry Again.” Mmmm…happy birthday to me!
On Saturday, we went out to Caren’s house…she and her husband Chris hosted a little brunch for me, where my parents were waiting to surprise me! That was nice. Our friends Rachel and Brian came out too. Tim and Dayna weren’t able to make it, but they sent yummy potatoes (Dayna…recipe??) and fun gifts. My friends pooled resources to by me a whole bunch of used books, helping to build the future-English-teacher library! I also got some great gifts from my family, including a bunch of “inner child” type gifts…crayons, a slinky, play-doh, pez. That was fun. 🙂 Oh, and I did get a couple of chances to win the trip to Ireland. *fingers crossed*
I know I’ve said this a lot, but thank you all so much. I feel so loved!