Fifty and Counting

Happy 50th Birthday

I Am Now

18,263 Days Old

438,312 Hours Old

26,298,720 Minutes Old

1,577,923,200 Seconds Old

But Who's Counting

Well..... I made it. I'm FIFTY!!!! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! I just have one quick question. How did this happen? Didn't I just graduate from high school? It doesn't seem like so much time has already pased. Let me just state that I am stoked to be fifty. I remember a time when fifty seemed old. It certainly doesn't seem that way now. In fact, in many ways I feel as if my life is just starting. Let me share some highlights of my special day.

The girls had been asking me what I wanted for my birthday for several months leading up to June. I was specific about wanting a bike. With all the weight I lost, I really wanted to get a bike and start riding on the Heritage Rail Trail here in York County. I had been walking it for a while, I figured biking it would be an enjoyable activity. Due to conflicting schedules, they asked about grilling and having some cake the day after my birthday. That was just fine with me since I didn't want them to make a "big deal" out of it. Everything was set........ Yeah, right!

The girls did it. They managed to pull off a party.... and I honestly didn't see it coming. I had been running errands on my birthday. As the afternoon progressed, the possibility of going to dinner with a friend presented itself. I had started getting ready for that when I received a phone call from Brie's boyfriend, Braxton. He wished me a happy birthday and asked if he and Brie could celebrate by taking me to dinner. I couldn't tell him no. 

We left the house and as we drove I kept wondering where we were going to eat. We went past Chili's, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Friendly's, Cheddar's, Red Lobster, Fiesta Mexico, Lone Star Steak House, Outback Steak House, and just about every other eatery I could think of. When we got off of Rt. 30 at Mt. Zion Road, I finally asked where we were heading. They said we were going to a little pub in Mount Wolf. Ok, I'm a sucker.... I totally believed them. Before I knew it we had turned onto a side road that headed to Rocky Ridge Park. I asked what we were doing and Brie said she wanted to take a walk with me before dinner. By this time I was beginning to suspect something was up, but when we entered the parking area, I didn't see any cars I recognized. We started walking toward the pavilions when I finally saw where we were headed. They did it! It was a celebration for me!!!! I totally lost it and started to cry. I truly was surprised. 

It was a super fun party. It was nice seeing how much planning Emile had put into making my day special. She had hung pictures all around the pavilion. There were a lot of  "subtle" reminders of what fifty looks and feels like (SO sweet), and had even had a custom cake baked for the party. At the back of the pavilion was the absolute bestest gift.... a BIKE!!!

 It's a 3-speed retro cruiser bike... and as cute as can be. I love, love, love it!! And it looks darling on the back of  Little Red. 

Now all I have to do is start riding. Yay!!!!!! I also received a bike rack, a gift certificate for a Paint Nite session and for a salon visit to Bella Dzyns, gift cards, and a picture collage of me and my wonderful sisters. I couldn't have asked for more.

Thanks, Pablo, Emile, Brie, Wesley, Braxton, Cindy, Keith, Michael, Sara, Alexandra, Isabel, Landon, Jamie, Zane, Ewan, Abric, Isla, Mike, Angie, and everyone else who were with us in spirit. You all made my birthday rock!

Fifty and counting....... Bring it on.