It wasn't so bad after all...
I have to admit, I was dreading turning 40. It just sounds so much older than 30! But I gave my head a wobble and realised, I am extremely blessed to be in good health and reaching another decade of life. Not everyone is so fortunate. I was worried I wouldn't get a proper celebration with it being in the middle of a pandemic but I was very lucky to be able to celebrate it with my family and friends, just not altogether.
My celebrations actually started the day before my birthday with the lovely school moms having a little get together morning with me. They bought me lovely gifts, we had a good natter and dined on prosecco, bucks fizz and cake. My birthday morning started with my husband and daughters dancing around the bedroom to Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday' song, serenading me whilst giggling and bouncing all over the bed. They then gave me presents and cards to open from them as well as friends and family. It's fair to say, I was crying 10 minutes into being awake. I am such a softy and thoughtful gifts just really get me every time. Once I had opened all of my lovely things, Kate shouts out "McDonald's breakfast please!!!" Sooooo, we ordered Mc'Ds! After all, it was my birthday!
After breakfast, it was time to get ready as we were going out for lunch with my wonderful in-laws. This would be the first time we had been to eat out properly since the beginning of Covid but I was just so excited. It felt like a back to normal day and I knew we would have a lovely time. We went to the Fig and Olive in Middleton. If you haven't been before, you really need to. The food and drinks are incredible. And like I hadn't cried enough that morning already, my thoughtful in-law family decided to surprise me at dinner, with an amazing gift of a trip to Iceland! I couldn't hold back the tears. It was such a shock as I never in a million years would have expected it. It is somewhere that has been on my wish to visit list for years. I am so desperate to see the Northern Lights, the blue lagoon and go whale watching. My absolute dream! I can't thank them all enough, they're just the best!
We had the loveliest time over dinner, drinks and cocktails and our Erin also lost another tooth eating her pudding! Ha-Ha! Definitely an eventful dinner out.
On the evening, my lovely parents came over to celebrate with us. My mom had sorted all my lovely home decorations and Ross had been given the decorating task. We enjoyed some pizza and a couple of drinks before tucking into my huge birthday cake. It was delicious and made by the very talented Naked Bakes. If you don't follow her already, please head over to her page and check out the beautiful cakes she makes.
On the Friday evening, I was surprised again by my besties who arranged a lovely evening out for me. We had cocktails in Lichield first at The Three Tuns - again, if you've not been I definitely recommend it. Then they took me just up the road to The Trooper at Wall for a meal and cocktails. It was amazing. I hadn't been there before so that was a lovely surprise in itself. But the food and the drinks were amazing and we sat outside in such a lovely atmosphere. If you're looking for somewhere nice to go eat at now, I suggest here. You won't be disappointed.
Everyone had made sure I had a lovely time for my birthday and that I was made to feel that little extra special with it being a big birthday. So much time and effort was put in and I can't thank them all enough. From decorations to surprises, to thoughtful gifts and treats, I really did feel so lucky.
And what a wonderful 40 years I have had on this planet. The last 10 years in particular have been the best. Meeting my husband, getting engaged, then married. Having our first daughter. Setting up my own small business working from home. Having our second daughter. Then retraining in a different career and setting up my photography business. I feel like I have been so fortunate and achieved so much.
I know the last year has been a crazy one and everyones lives have been on hold for some of it but I am so ready to grab life again with both hands and push on. I have 3 wishes for the year ahead...
- To build up my business and continue providing the best service
- To travel a little and see some more of the lovely world
- To continue to be the best mom I can be to my two girls and the best wife to my husband
Here's to being 40! It's when life begins, isn't it?! :-)
