Something intentional.

I used the word “intentional.”

That was probably my mistake.

Some time in, oh I don’t know, February or so, I got a crazy look in my eye and addressed Brian.

Me: “I am turning 30 in July.  I want you to do something intentional.  Plan something.  Talk to my girlfriends; they’ll give you some good ideas.  It doesn’t have to be big; it doesn’t have to be a surprise.  I just don’t want to plan my own birthday celebration.  And I don’t want to be sitting on the couch that night and you look at me and ask if I wanna go out.  I just want to show up.”

In my head, I thought that perhaps we’d have a sushi night or a scavenger hunt or a get-together with friends.  Little did I know what was about to come.

Friends, Brian has gone far above and beyond the call of duty.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 13th.  Brian is flying out our friend/artist/musician, Bradley Hathaway, from North Dakota.  We’re having our own little concert at Trumpet Vine Farm in Stephens City (thanks to Brian’s aunt and uncle).  I’m told that there will be games.  (Being competitive, I can’t wait to find out what that’s all about!)

Brian was considering hiring a Brazilian barbecue truck to provide food, but I think I’ve effectively convinced him to have everybody picnic instead so that we can afford to rent a photo booth for the occasion!  Ever since I was a little girl, photo booths have been responsible for countless spontaneous moments of pure glee and silliness.  One of the most memorable aspects of my friend Sherri’s reception was how much fun we all had in the photo booth, picking our goofy props and making our dumb faces.  And it was such a treat to get to go home with our pictures, too!

I believe that my coercion sounded something like this:

“Come on.  What would you rather have?  Brazilian chicken?  Or photo booth pictures of you and Bradley Hathaway?  Or you and Bennett?  Or you and Joey?  Or Charley?  And won’t our friends love having pictures with each other?  And with their kids?”

I hadn’t intended for my 30th birthday to warrant such extravagance.  But there you have it.

If that weren’t special enough, apparently we’re even having our own Johnny Blue porta facility.

Now I’ve arrived.

Being that Brian is in charge of everything and I’m “just showing up,” please privately message Brian at brian@spearshomecare.com if you can attend.  He’ll need your email address.  I’ve emphasized to my husband that I love my readers and want everyone to feel welcome to come and have a good time.  But he’s in charge of the Evite and might’ve missed some contacts.

If it’s any indication that this is important to Brian, I think he checks the Evite about every half hour.  (So sweet.)