Wednesday, April 30, 2014

twenty-fourth birthday

wow is all i have to say to turning 24.
my husband knows how to plan a special
occasion, and he made it magical along with
all my other loved ones. birthdays are the best
because they remind you to celebrate, to feel
and soak in all the love around you, and to
appreciate another year of this amazing life.
living away from most of my closest friends
and family can make having a birthday a little
different, so it means even more when people
are darling and remember me & make me feel 
loved. this year they rendered me speechless with
the sweeeeeetest video in the world. i have had
a rough few months lately and my husband
must have known this was exactly what i needed..
so he had all my very favorite people record
messages to me and put it together into a perfect
little video that i will keep forever. he had me unwrap
an iPad at dinner as my last gift, put in headphones,
and press play. then he watched me as i watched the
best video and of course start crying. it felt like a
huge hug from all my loved ones and like they 
were there celebrating with me! best feeling in 
the world. i love my people and i love chase
for doing it. that was obviously the highlight, so
the video is below...and then pictures of our
fun celebrations are below that! thank you to
my loves for making my day so great. xo
<
^^ this is what your birthday looks like
when you live away from home!

^^ flower delivery from bffs
^^ woke up to perfect pink buildings on an 80 degree SF day
^^ and, a brand new BIKE from the greatest
parents. i will never be able to keep up with 
these triathletes on it, but this is something 
i cannot wait to have and use all around 
the city! the pink bows are my favorite part :)
i missed these two on my birthday, but felt
their love from afar and can't wait to 
see them this weekend in newport!
^^ sweetest packages, and the perfect gift from brynn..
an R letter with a map design on it! love.
^^ kendall and laur both know me so so well.
^^ chase surprised me with reservations at one
of the best restaurants in san francisco, foreign cinema.
basically all you need to know about this place is:
the menu changes every day, the courtyard has twinkly
lights, and they play old fashioned black & white movies
on the wall every night when the sun goes down. i think
husband picked pretty well. it was such a fun dinner.
^^ and, just like i asked, all his presents were
"experiences" instead of things (plus a few cute
clothes we picked out together). he put all the
experience gifts in envelopes and had me open
them through the night, and wow were they good.
^^ broadway tickets to see once when it comes to town
this summer, YAY! and, the best/worst gift ever---he
REGISTERED US FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON!
whaaaat? this was so unexpected, when i did my 2nd marathon
last fall i told him i was never doing one again- too painful!
well, he didn't listen because he signed us up-- hahah! it will
be his first one, and the course is pretty fun through the entire
city (and across the golden gate bridge) but i better start training
since i had no idea! i'm out of shape (i blame the commute)
these gifts will definitely be memorable ones!
^^ my friends know me far too well. ladurée cookbook?? heaven!
^^ my sis-in-law's hand painted cards are my favorite.
^^ my official package-opener
^^ aaaand, my BFF BOOKED A FLIGHT TO VISIT ME!!!!!
this was the best surprise in the world! ashley had been secretly
talking to chase and they booked a flight, then she called me
at dinner and had me open this itinerary! i was screaming at
the restaurant! i cannot wait for this and there could not be
a better gift. this friend outdoes herself every year.
^^ and then of course, best gift of all.
hope no one minded the birthday girl
crying her eyes out at the table after
watching this!! favorite thing ever.

^^ would you just look at this place!
^^ double birthday wishes
then we left a dinner and got in a cab...
we get out of the cab after dinner and...
surprise, we are at a 20's dance club for lessons and dancing!
only this boy would find such a fun place and take me dancing.
(FYI: we are TERRIBLE dance students, laughing
the entire time and wouldn't rotate through..oops!)
^^ luckily after the lesson the 20's band came
on and we could just do our own thing as 
everyone else danced the exact moves around us.
thanks to this babe of a husband for making
all my wishes & dreams come true. i love being 
24 already and hope you'll always dance with me!
xo

16 comments:

  1. This all sounds like a dream. The video idea made my eyes water just thinking about it and that hand-painted card is so adorable. Love all of it and hope you had the greatest birthday yet!

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  2. Happy birthday! Such a wonderful celebration!

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  3. K hello that video was the sweetest thing! How thoughtful is your husband! Happiest birthday to you! Glad you got spoiled like you deserve. :)

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  4. Ohhh wow! Happy, happy birthday!!! What a fun day. You and your husband are the sweetest! And your family and friends as well!

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  5. looks like the BEST b-day! happy birthday emi!!

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  6. So sweet and so much fun! Happy Birthday! and have an amazing time in Newport it's my favorite place to have a little get away and if you haven't booked a hotel yet both Marriotts are amazing and you can ask for a view.

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  7. i almost cried watching that video and i don't even know anyone in it haha! oh man. best gift ever!

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  8. Oh my gosh, girl - this is THE perfect birthday!! And that video.. seriously amazing. You definitely have a keeper in him :) Happy happy belated Birthday!!! 24 seems like it's off to a pretty great start!

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  9. happiest birthday to you pretty lady! I have chills and tears!!! I can feel all the love around you, you rock!<3

    xoxo cait @ www.pieceofcait.com

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  10. Happy Birthday, Emi. You are going to love, "Once!"

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  11. wow! sounds like the most amazing birthday! you deserve it:) and that video is about the cutest thing I've ever seen
    xoChelsey

    http://westcoastcapri.com

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  12. only thing i would change is being there physically and not virtually! LOVE YOU!!

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  13. Happy Birthday!! :-)

    www.animpulsetosoar.blogspot.com

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  14. Your 24th birthday is one for the books! Your husband sure knows how to treat you right. It looks like you had a great (and emotional!) day. Happy belated birthday!

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  15. Wow! How amazing! Sounds like the best birthday ever!!! That little restaurant with the old movies playing looks super cool! Happy Birthday!

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