Update: Birthday Edition!

Yes, it's true, I am into my 20's, now. Today I hit the big 22, a whole year past real and true legality. 

With James being gone, I was really concerned that today was going to be a hard day for me. In our entire relationship, I think we've been together for both of our birthdays once. And even on those days, his leaving was looming. In 2011, he deployed the day after his birthday, and last year, he left for a training course for six weeks just a few days after mine. In general, us being together on holidays or birthdays doesn't happen often, so it's hard to continually have the list of important days missed grow. 

However, thanks to some really great people, today was much better than I anticipated. My awesome friend, Pam, took me out to breakfast this morning. The place we went to is called Tin Pan Galley, and let me tell you. Phenomenal. Food. I've been there but once before for dinner, and it was probably one of the best meals I've had during my time up here. With that in mind, I expected their breakfast to be equally as delectable. I was not let down. 

That, my friends, is creme brulee french toast, and it is as every bit as amazing as it sounds. If there was ever a perfect birthday breakfast, this is it. Those are my leftovers, too. The best part about that sentence is that it looks just as good as it did when the plate was placed in front of me. So, seriously, big props to Pam for this. 

This wonderful meal was followed by a mini shopping spree at Ulta. One, because Ulta is one of the best stores we have up here. Two, I had a 20% off coupon that expired tomorrow and there was no way I was going to let that go to waste, especially on my birthday. I found this fitting, too, because one of my presents from last year was also purchased from Ulta. I sense a tradition in the making. 

A skype date from my best friend, Susan, came after this, as well as a phone call from my Mom (telling me happy birthday and to check my mail for a birthday present, which I did - my family bought me photography classes! Eek! Such a perfect present!), and then, what is perhaps my favorite part of the day happened. 

My wonderful husband. Even when he is miles and miles away, he never fails to make me feel loved and special. We both agreed that my birthday present would come later (I'll expand more on this later when it is actually purchased), but being the good man he is, he wouldn't let me turn another year older without something, especially when he's away. Flowers are particularly special to me. 

When we were first dating and he would come home on leave, he would show up at my work every now and then with a random flower or bouquet, just because. He would do the same, too, even when he wasn't around. Sometimes, a delivery man would just show up with a vase of flowers for me. This brings me back to those sweet days of courtship, and if it's possible, I feel even more special now than I did, then. 

If this wasn't enough, I have gotten so much communication with him today. I have recently learned that what means most to me in my marriage is quality time. I greatly appreciate the other aspects of love, like words of affirmation and acts of service, but quality time is what makes me feel most loved. However, as you can imagine, quality time together is not easy to come by for us. Even when he's home, the relentlessness of this unit prevents us from truly getting that time together. So, because of this and some reading I've done, I've learned that quality time does not, literally, have to be time spent together. Quality time can mean just having a meaningful conversation. 

This is exactly what I've gotten today. Not necessarily meaningful or deep conversation, but I have gotten conversation and I know that James has gone out of his way to set time aside for me. That, above all, is more than I could ask for. When he's away, that is the best birthday present I could ask for.  I may not have had him here with me, but this was the best alternative, and I am so grateful.

Today was so much better than I had envisioned it turning out. So, cheers, to another year of life that has been lived. As my friend Susan had stated earlier, she is, "Glad that I came into this world with the fury and passion that is my 5'4" self." I'm sure a lot of people would agree with that, as would I. I've been created and put here for a reason and purpose, and I'm looking forward to where the next year of my life takes me. One day at a time, though, of course.