:: Mindrella's Life ::

:: Thursday, May 20, 2004 ::

Turning 40

So as most of you know, I turned the big 4-0 last Saturday and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.

**hides paper bag under computer in denial**

I got through it with a lot of laughter and yes, a few tears.

First of all I would like to send out a huge

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU

to Doug and Woody. They put in a lot of effort to make sure my birthday was memorable and even though they were somewhat disappointed in the final outcome (it seems everyone was busy that weekend and no one could make it), they were also very successful. I love both of you very much and even though you may not have realized it at the time, having you both there to help celebrate my birthday is what made it special to me. You both are my closest and dearest friends and I can’t imagine my life without either of you in it. So sorry, you’re both stuck with me whether you like it or not. Pfftttt!!!

I already posted what my co-workers did to my desk on Friday (see post below) and later that evening I got a message that I needed to be ready by 7 p.m. Now I know that I originally posted that I needed to be ready by 6 p.m. but evidently plans changed – several times. Doug kept calling me and leaving me messages, keeping me updated without actually telling me anything. So not surprising, at 5:45 p.m. Doug calls me to let me know plans were changing (again) and asks if I can be ready by 6:30 (instead of 7) without me stressing out too much.

So Doug (sans Woody) picks me up at 6:30. We drive over to Balboa Park, park and start walking. I’m all dressed up in skirt, blouse and heels (yes you heard right – heels) and after a couple of mishaps walking across a wooden pedestrian bridge (damn heels) we walk towards the Organ Pavillion, and then alongside the Pavillion, behind the Pavillion, across the front of the Pavillion, up the stairs and across the stage of the Pavillion, only to end up approximately 20 feet from where we had originally started. When we finally got there (remember, I’m still in heels) Woody was waiting for us with a bottle of champagne chilling and a red rose for me. Tears are already starting to form. So we hang out, drink champagne and take pictures. Doug and Woody then explain that there is good news and bad news. The good news: they have the evening planned out. The bad news: it’s not what they had originally planned. As I posted above, things were evidently not going their way and what they had originally planned had to be changed because people were busy and/or out of town that night. They were so cute when explaining everything to me and were very worried that I would be disappointed. I assured them that all I ever want to do on my birthday is hang out with my friends. Then Doug and Woody both gave heartfelt speeches which, of course, made all of us more than a little weepy (the tears for the evening) and I threatened them with the pain of death if they screwed up my makeup.

We then left Balboa Park and drove to Seaport Village. We had dinner at the San Diego Pier Company, our table overlooking the bay. Waiting for me at the restaurant to join us for dinner were my friends Kate and Joel. We shared more laughs (and 2 bottles of wine) at dinner and pretty much closed the restaurant down. We then moved over to Top of the Hyatt, a bar on the 40th floor of that hotel for more champagne and martinis and then, finally, home.

No, it wasn’t a huge blowout affair. It was quiet and simple but I shared it with my closest friends. All of us have gone through a lot together so it seemed fitting that I should spend this milestone birthday with them. These are the friends that I know will be in my life for the next 40 years. The friends who even though I may not talk and/or see them more than a few times a month will drop whatever they are doing if I should need them (and vice versa). I envision us chasing each other around that damn retirement home in our wheelchairs and walkers playing "who's got the false teeth." I had a great time and will remember this evening for a long time to come.

Here are a couple of pictures from that evening:



Doug, Kate, Woody, Me and Joel



My beautiful roses and some of my gifts

:: Melinda 9:13 PM [+]