Surprise

I’ve never made a big deal about my birthday. I’m not anti-birthday, and it doesn’t bother me that I’m getting older. My family just never threw lavish parties to celebrate. We usually just get together at one of our houses and have lunch as a family. We will kick it up a little bit for a decade birthday (40, 50, etc.), but it’s still nothing that would be considered a blowout.

About a month ago, Ella knew my birthday was coming soon, and she asked me what my favorite birthday party was. I told her that a couple of parties stood out, but I couldn’t say that I had a favorite. I remembered when I turned eight, my parents let me have some friends over, so I invited about 10 friends over and played dodgeball and baseball in the street. I remember that party because it was the first time I got to have friends over to celebrate with me. Also, I told her that I had a big party for my 50th birthday, and that was pretty nice. Then, I told her a little secret that I never shared with anyone. I said that I always wanted a surprise party. I never lost sleep over not having one, but I thought it would’ve been pretty cool for someone to plan a surprise party for me. But it never happened.

Until it did.

Last weekend, my seven-year-old angel planned a surprise party for me. And she even made it a beach-themed party because she knows that is my favorite party theme. Even at this age, she understands that little things matter.

Somehow, I ended up with the sweetest kid in the world. I know the odds of winning the lottery are slim, but I won the kid lottery with this one. In fact, I won the kid lottery twice.