Where to begin? I don't know if it's because of birthday giddiness, but it seemed like everyone was being extra nice to me on my birthday. More people than I expected remembered my birthday and took time out of their day to stop me on the way to class to wish me 'Happy Birthday'. There were a couple jokes to sing the birthday song, and several people asked if I made any plans. Overall, the three classes were spent feeling quite nice about aging another year.

Ben has to take the cake with after classes. He told me that he wouldn't be able to make it because he needed to pick up his brother from school. It was a small disappointment but responsibilities come first! In the end, it didn't matter because he called me to say that he may be able to come by that night (possibly missing the birthday dinner with friends). Elated but bummed at the same time, I was just beginning to tell him that it was fine before he suddenly mentioned that he couldn't find his cellphone charger and thought he left it in my car.

Startled and a little bemused, I went out of my apartment and saw a neat letter and present laid on my windshield. I think any girl at this point would call this suspicious, but I foolishly told Ben that I found a present and thought a roommate had left it there before leaving. If only I could have read the amusement in Ben's voice when he said 'Oh? That's nice!', maybe I would've saved myself the appearance of naivete. In any case, I got down on my knees, rummaging around the floor of my car while Ben guiltily hid behind the apartment (he felt bad that I was kneeling on the hard ground, earnestly searching for something that wasn't there). I was really digging around the floor of the car until Ben (feeling a tad guilty) said that he found it in his room. I gave up the search, glad he found the charger, and casually remarked that I would take the present inside and open it in my room.

I took my sweet time getting there because Hippo (abbreviated form of Valerie's Hippocrates) was being especially affectionate and prostrating herself before my door so that I wouldn't leave her by her lonesome. By the time I got inside, I sat down and opened the card. I only read the first three lines before my eyes darted down to see that the sender was none other than Ben himself. Let me say, it didn't take long for me to bolt out of my room (nearly running Hippo over) and open my door. The only thing that saved me from smacking into Ben was the fact that I didn't want to close the door on Hippo's head (she tends to poke her head out the door now). By the time I turned around, bright yellow tulips were held before my face with a waiting smile from Ben.

Ladies, this is the part where I melted into a pile of goo.



Beyond ecstatic, we went inside where Ben urged me to open the present. One of the movies I've always wanted to own waited inside = Les Choristes. What's more, he brought a box of cake mix (Funfetti), recounting the time we tried making it but the temperature of the oven was off so we had a pan of undercooked cake. Even though Ben was willing to eat it, I heeded common sense and dumped that bad idea in the trash. Anyway, he reminded me that he promised me another cake baking moment so this would be it. The pile of goo just turned a little more mushy. Didn't think it was possible, eh?

Later that night, we went to 1424 Bistro, a rather fancy restaurant with expensive entrees! I ordered Seafood Picatta. Pictures were taken across the table, as well as jokes and stories. There was an effort to explain an inane conversation with a mutual friend but he failed by undermining the 'inane' aspect. Oh well, someday the majority of people will understand!



We opened our presents at the table. It was great! Such great gifts, both funny and sincere. For Connie, I basically made a makeover kit (8 pairs of eyes, 3 moustaches, 2 pairs of glasses, and 2 spritzers from Victoria's Secret to spray the pillow) for the geek pillow I made Connie last year. I included a box of Sea Salt French caramels for a sweet touch! :)



We decided to serve the cake over at 3 Spoons (where Hao and Josh are working) so we piled into our respective cars to go. To our astonishment, the place was packed! People were spilling out onto the sidewalk and I could barely see over the customers' heads to see where you could even get the yogurt. Since there was no chance we would be able to grab a table, I suggested heading over to Books-a-Million to wait out the crowd. When we get there, we immediately dispersed.

I love going to bookstores! I'm always tempted to buy something, but this time Ben and I just poked our way through all the interesting things. I did an imitation of Darth Vader when we found mini dolls in one of the shelves. We probably spent at least half an hour in that store, idling away until we thought a sufficient amount of time had passed. When we went back to 3 Spoons, some of us grabbed some chairs while others went to buy some frozen yogurt. There was a chalkboard wall on the side we were sitting so Ben quickly wrote another 'Happy Birthday' message on it for me. The sweetness never ends! When everyone was finally seated, the cake was presented. It was a rich cheesecake with light pink frosting. Very yummy!

---

The Presents:

---

Firstly, SLEPT IN. Who doesn't love sleeping in, especially after your birthday? Ben and I had lunch at Fuddruckers because we were both craving burgers. I've finally worked out the best deal for me; it's called The World's Greatest Offer. It's a 1/4 burger with fries, drink, and...a cookie. It's apparently for kids but I'm easily satisfied with it! Once we got back, I asked Ben if he'd like to watch Les Choristes. (I had told him how much I loved the movie and that we should watch it together.)

The movie was moving, just as I remembered it. So pleased with the movie, I was full of fluffy feelings! Inspiration struck me, so I suggested heading over to campus for a stroll. Ben made it even better by adding that we could grab some tacos from "taco trailer" and eat near "our swing." I grabbed one of my birthday presents (a cute pink box decorated with multiple Eiffel Towers) and stuck a bar of "Cherries+Almond Dark Chocolate" and a small Russell Stover's box of chocolates inside. With that and 7 tacos + lemon drink between us, we headed over to a bench in front of Burleson. There was quite a bit of people around because of SING. However, the night was beautiful.

We sat down, munching on spicy barbacoa tacos and sharing the large lemon drink between us. I managed to snag a couple photos with Ben's phone before it really got dark. The lighting wasn't bad because I planned on sitting with Ben to watch the stars. It was the best way to end the night, star-gazing with a guy you love.



Parting was a little tearful on my part but I felt completely happy with the way the weekend (Friday+Saturday really) had gone. It was more than a girl could wish for and I'm thankful for these people in my life. Definitely a birthday to remember!