29th... the best birthday

A pair of diamond earrings, a surprise visit from my mom, a side-by-side delux body scrub and massage at the spa with mom and a blueberry chiffon birthday cake dollopped with whipped cream and fresh berries. A house full of flowers.

These are a few of my favorite things... beautiful memories my husband surprised me for my birthday. Those who know me best are appreciating this because they know Aric got it so right. He knew just exactly how to love me. Poor guy had to dodge my incessant questions about the weekend (They seemed innocent at the time... but I really need to stop this Lois Lane act.) and had me believing that I was flying somewhere by myself on Saturday morning when we pulled up at Burbank Airport to see my mom waiting at the curb with the biggest smile on her face. He then dropped us at the spa and for dinner, Korean birthday soup and dinner were waiting for us at my favorite spot in Orange County -- my aunt and uncle's, and Nary's, my younger sister I never had.

The birthday weekend started on Friday, when I came home after a horrible day at work. (A story killed, a wet purse and an ugly dent in my car) On my way home, I called Aric, and after listening to me vent, he asked me what time it was. I glanced up at the time and it said 5:13 p.m. He said from this point on, my day is about to get exponentially better. And it did. I came home to gifts from my mother-in-law, a bouquet of flowers from my sister-in-law. Then my father-in-law walked in the door with another armful of flowers and words on a card still imprinted in my heart. After dinner, friends started streaming in bearing gifts but most importantly giving me what I value most -- their time and their presence. They knew just how to love me too -- a Barack Obama book on CD, a Burke Williams gift card, and a book by C.S. Lewis and a collection of essays that feature BOTH Pastor Tim Keller and artist Makoto Fujimura.

A lovely co-conspirator -- my sister Irene who for weeks e-mailed back and forth with Aric to set up my mom's trip -- asked me in her card whether I could appreciate just how loved I am... by my husband who arranged everything, by my mom, my sister and all those involved, including my brother-in-law who took my mom's shift at the dry cleaner's so she could come. I could. Profoundly.