The Sweetest Surprise

Good morning! Even though temperatures are creeping back down with a side of rain clouds and wind throughout the day, my Monday has already started off on a fantastic note.

I had the best weekend with some pretty amazing people!

As most of you who have been following the blog for a while already know, I have been a part of a small group Bible study for about six months now. We meet once a week, dig into the word, share stories, and comfort each other. We do life together.

Over that time, our group has added and lost a few, but it has also grown extremely tight, strong, and supportive throughout all of life’s crazy ups and downs.

We planned a girls’ night on Friday, and when I was the last one to show up at our discussed 7:30 arrival time, I knew something was up. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, ten beautiful girls popped out from under tables and around corners yelling “Surprise!”

I was already in the loop about a sleepover, but I had absolutely no idea they had a secret group text going on to plan the night around celebrating my birthday coming up next weekend. They’re an awesome, sneaky bunch!

We had dinner reservations at 8, so I spent a good fifteen minutes hugging them and talking in an embarrassingly high-pitched voice. Please tell me this happens to you as well when you are genuinely surprised or shocked about something!

Before long, I was handed a huge basket filled with goodies. They carefully collaborated and put a basket of thirty things together for my 30th birthday! How cute is that?

They must know me well, because it included some of my very favorite things like three-wick candles, a light scarf, stationary, lip stains, energy bars, a ring holder (I’ve been using the top of my cotton ball holder to house my wedding rings since we got married!), and chocolates.

They decorated the house in banners, balloons, and streamers, and handed me an entire book of Bible verses and messages written by each one of them. I waited to read that later on because I knew I would be balling by the time I was done reading! (I was.)

The group of us carpooled over to Downtown Rochester and arrived to Rojo Mexican Grill for dinner right at 8. It’s one of my favorite spots to dine in our area, and I had no idea that they feature live music every Friday night! They also have Sanga-ritas…

(…the size of my head!)

I think the cooking staff might have been a little off this night, since the signature Rojo salad I ordered looked a lot different than normal. I still enjoyed my dinner, but entrées don’t really matter at Mexican restaurants, anyways. I pretty much eat my weight in chips and salsa before the main course arrives. Every. Single. Time. Anyone else?

We finished things up around 9:30 p.m. and carpooled back over to the house to enjoy the rest of the night in. We cut into the delicious homemade three-layer chocolate cake (still impressed, Robin!) as soon as we arrived.

We spent the rest of the night chatting in the hot tub, lounging in pajamas, and sharing stories.

As a married woman about to enter her thirties, I don’t get to spend the night with girlfriends very often. I cherish nights like these, and can’t even relay how loved this uplifting community of girls makes me feel every day. I am so thankful to have them!

I had a busy Saturday followed by a long Sunday, so I didn’t really get to go through my basket of gifts and book until last night. They know me so, so well!

Besides the book of messages, the gift that made me smile the most was this Starbucks mug with handwriting. One of the girls carefully wrote and set the following verse into the design:

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” — Proverbs 27:17

I couldn’t imagine going through life in Michigan, away from my childhood friends and family, without these wonderful women I have grown to know over the past six months or so!

(Selfie stick for the win!)

They certainly sharpen me, and I am so very thankful for my friendship with each one of these strong and selfless sisters.

To my generous, loving, welcoming, and faithful group of forever friends:

(Missing you Amanda, Amanda, Kelly, Michelle, and Mish!)

Thank you so much for making me feel loved and appreciated on my (almost) birthday.

I am extremely grateful for the time, support, and loving relationship I have with each and every one of you! <3