Family

Family. There's nothing like it. We never let our families know how much they mean to us. I feel lucky to have both my & Mark's family.

We went to Dave & Shirley's for dinner Saturday night. Ham dinner with the works. It was awesome and delicious. Shirley is a very good cook. But the dinner was a disguise, of sorts, because hidden behind it was a surprise 30th birthday party...for me. I was surprised too! That was so nice of her and Suzy to do that. It meant so much to me...and put me on this 'sappy' trail to write about how thankful I am for family.

Both of our families surprised me in a special way to commemorate my 30th and both meant so much to me.

I was feeling sorry for myself that my friends here didn't remember my birthday. That sounds pretty dumb but it's not because I expected parties or gifts. Just to clarify, the one little thing in the world that means the most to me is for someone to say "Happy Birthday" to me on (or around) my birthday. Maybe that's just the kid in me...just to be remembered on my special day. But I also realize that I don't always remember to call or send a card but I'm often thinking of my friends on their birthdays. If I know them, they're written on my calendar.

So, I was feeling sorry for myself all weekend (Mother's Day weekend). Then at some point during the week, it occurred to me that my friends here are mostly "new" friends that I've been so lucky to have gained in the past year and they didn't even know it was my birthday. (I realized this after a couple of them called me during the week and never said a word about my birthday).

So, yes I am thankful for family. For both of our families. But I am also thankful for my friends.