Mel's 30th Birthday - Part I

It's a big thing, turning 30.  Typically not something anyone truly looks forward to.  For me, I had a much different idea of where I'd be in life by the time I turned 30.  Married, 2 kids, stay-at-home mom, China adoption underway . . . it's funny how God can sometimes have entirely different plans for your life!  Needless to say, other than being married to my fabulous husband Chris, none of my other hopes and dreams have been fulfilled (yet).  The journey has definitely proven to be more arduous than anticipated back when I dreamily concocted "my" plan for my life at the ripe ol' age of 21!  However, one thing that HAS gotten better along the way is my relationships with others.  For so many years I searched and searched for "real", genuine, selfless, and unconditional friendships.  I was tired of the popularity games, constantly wondering whether or not I still made the cut among my current group of friends.  But with age comes insight and discernment which helps me choose the people I surround myself with more wisely.

One of the best blessings in life is finding those kinds of friendships in the workplace.  Our jobs may not always leave us feeling happy or confident, but the people you work with can be the one thing that changes that experience entirely.  I am fortunate to have many WONDERFUL friends at my workplace!  People who I truly believe are interested in sharing life with me, not just for now, but for always.  They're genuine and kind and always looking out for the needs of others around them.  Specifically speaking, there are 2 delightful young women who make my days SO much brighter at the office!  Jessica and Kelly have easily been what's kept me going on the days when the going gets tough.  Sometimes I wonder, if it weren't for their companionship, humor, and overall friendship . .. would I even make it through one day?  Oftentimes the answer is a resounding no!

This morning, as I walked into the office, I saw my sweet friend Jessica sitting at her desk.  This caught my attention as she is not normally in the office quite so early!  And as I rounded the corner towards my office cube, I suddenly realized why she was there.  My sweet and thoughful friend happily decorated my workspace with streamers, balloons, and gifts for my 30th birthday!  WHAT A SURPRISE!!!  It just made my whole day (AND the idea of turning 30 that much more bearable)!

Birthday Decorations!

Birthday Balloons!

She also gave me the funniest card . . .

Birthday Card

 . . . it's so fitting b/c I'm always complaining about how I can't accurately type via IM chat anymore b/c my nails keep growing so fast and are so long that i misspell everything all the time! lol (a personal pet peeve!).
But what made this card even funnier is what she wrote on the inside:

"Dear Melody, I thought this card quite captured our friendship at work! :)  I feel so blessed to have met you . . . it's not very often you find someone who shares a passion for 90's hip hop, Broadway musicals, AND Psalty the Singing Songbook! . . . " 

I just thought that was the funniest thing ever . . . and absolutely so true!

So today I feel like one very special girl . . . not b/c of the attention I received, but b/c of how blessed I am by the friendships around me.  Friendships are absolutely what make life easier to walk through every day (no matter what it might throw your way), and if you're lucky enough to have even one good friend to share life with, then you're just plain lucky enough.