My 29th Birthday

As I mentioned yesterday, I was looking forward to my birthday.  Embracing this 29^th year. 

My employer actually gives you off on your birthday (it's a paid holiday for you!) Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take mine off.  One, because I am only in my second week here.  Two, because I’m taking off next week for Thanksgiving and also an entire week at Christmas (for the holidays but also all my yearly scans and oncology-related appointments).  And three, because it was Staff Development Day and we had a meeting with our big boss from 9:30am until about 2:30pm.  I told Nick about this all day meeting.  And we agreed to celebrate that weekend (and I’m an awesome wife and pushed it back even further because Nick really wanted to host a poker night on Friday night with all of his buddies).

Anyway, I told Nick about this meeting.  Clearly, he’s your typical guy and forgot.  As I’m sitting in the board room, I see my phone light up. Nick is calling and texting.  “Call me”.  I discreetly text back “Can’t.”  He asks why.  I just ignore it because I can’t be that newbie in the meeting, texting away on her phone. 

About two minutes later I happen to glance towards the door and through the glass, I see another woman I work with motioning me out the door.  I wasn’t sure if she was pointing to me and if I was allowed to just leave, but when I pointed to myself and mouthed “me?” she shook her head yes.  I figured she’s been here a while and if she’s telling me to come out of the meeting, it’s okay.  

I walk out and Nick is standing there, holding a bouquet of beautiful flowers, a gift bag, and balloons.  The poor guy was surprising me to take me out to lunch because he suddenly had the day free.  I felt AWFUL.  We were having a working lunch catered in for our meeting.  He was so disappointed, as was I. 

I led him back to my office (as we passed another meeting room full of about 6 other women, they all erupted with clapping and poor Nicholas was beat red embarrassed.)

When we got to my office, I set the flowers and balloons down and opened his gift.  

I first read the card and was a little confused

But then I pulled out this.  And I was ecstatic!!!!!

I’ve been wanting an iPad Mini in the past three or so months.  Then the new mini’s with retina display came out and Nick bought one for work.  I fell in love even more and really wanted one.  Sure, it’d help me with my job but it’s not necessary.  It was certainly just a want, not a need.  So I was completely shocked to see that Nick actually splurged and got me one!!!! Now I felt even more awful that he gave me this awesome gift, came to work to surprise me, had the day free, and was just going to go home.  I couldn’t even spend time with him because I had to get back to the meeting.  So I said my goodbye, feeling so badly, and went back to my meeting.

We took a break about 10 minutes later and my boss caught wind that Nick showed up.  She told me to bring him back and he could eat lunch with us.  But I’m sure he was already on the highway.  Not to mention, he wouldn’t have wanted to do that.  Had I brought him into the meeting, (like she said I should have done when he showed up), he would have been tomato red and so embarrassed.  {He’s very much my opposite.}  She was disappointed but then demanded I bring my flowers in the board room so we could all enjoy them as we also enjoyed some birthday cake they got for me!  (Have I mentioned I just love the people I work with?!)

That was pretty much the extent of my celebrating for my actual day of birth.  I had to work until 5pm in the office, then I shot across downtown for a work event I was shadowing as part of my training.  However, the other Specialist I was shadowing needed some help.  They didn’t have a Survivor to speak at the event, and she asked if I’d be willing to do it.  I happily agreed.  I felt awful she was in a bind and would hope someone would help me out if I’m ever in that situation. But I also agreed because I love sharing my story and reason for fighting back.  I’ve spoke about this at many other events and I don’t mind public speaking at all. The only thing I was nervous about is the fact that I decided to wing it.  Which usually isn’t a big deal until two of your bosses (the one being that "big boss" that was in town facilitating our huge meeting today) decide to come to the event and you’re suddenly nervous about making sure they’re happy they hired you once you’re finished speaking.  Thankfully after my speech, that boss approached me, telling me my speech was really powerful, exactly on point for why fighting back is so important, and that he’s so happy I’m on staff with them.  *Phew*

Due to the meeting, I didn’t get home until about 8pm.  I called Nick earlier in the day and said that for dinner, I just wanted some greasy pizza.  And he made it happen.  He even took one for the team and got stuffed crust! (He’s not a huge cheese fan so this is a big deal!!!)  I never suggest stuffed crust because I know his answer will always be no.  But today he did it without me suggesting it. Hashtag winning.  Following dinner we cut the birthday cake he got me.  He got it out of the fridge and said “I know you like chocolate, but I saw this and thought it was really fun and birthday appropriate.”  And he was right.  It’s definitely my personality.  Not to mention, I had had chocolate cake earlier at work so it all worked out. 

And that was it.  Simple, yet meaningful and fun.  I’m so appreciative of Nick surprising me at work with the flowers and balloons.  I wish our lunch date could have worked out.  He was so sad when he said “I’ve always wanted to show up at your work and take you out to lunch but that’s never been possible with your old  jobs.  Now it was, I had the day off, and it was your birthday.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity.”  Poor guy.  We’ll have to do a raincheck.  It’s truly the thought that counts though.  He made my birthday more special than I thought it was going to be for spending it at work all day.

Thank you to everyone else as well!  The amount of Facebook posts/messages, Facebook gifts,  Tweets, emails, texts, and phone calls were overwhelming.  I’m so blessed to have such amazing people in my life.  So much so that from the time I got home at 8pm until well past Nick went to bed, my phone was ringing off the hook!!!!  I’m sorry to those of you I didn’t get a chance to answer the call or call you back.  But it’s almost midnight and I don’t think you’d like a call now.  But I truly appreciate it :)