37

So, on June 25, 2019, I turned 37!  I can’t believe it!  It’s come so fast!  I swear just last year I was 21!  I blinked and there’s 37.  I’m sure you’ve heard that life goes by so fast and that before you know it, you’ll be old and grey, believe me, it does.  I never believed that in my twenties, I thought I’d be young forever!  Well, Julien, this is 37. 

I’ve had good birthdays, I’ve had great birthdays and unforgettable ones.  This was an unforgettable one.  This guy who’s chosen to join in my journey with me made sure of that.  He’s one amazing boyfriend.  Sure, we have our ups and downs; tears and words we wish we never said.  I still wouldn’t change a moment of it.  For my first and early birthday present he gave me a video which at first, I wasn’t sure what it was until  I watched it.  Over and over and over and over and over and over…. And over again!  I’ve mentioned them in my blog before.  La Santa Cecilia.  They are my favorite band and the lead singer Marisoul Hernandez has such a beautiful voice.  Well, the video is of her singing me happy birthday.  If you follow me on social media, you would have probably seen the video by now.  I’ve watched it every day since then. 

On my birthday I received a few handmade gifts which are just perfect.  They aren’t just handmade but so personal as if he knew I would love them beyond belief!  He gets me.  He’s so clever and so thoughtful.  For about two weeks before my birthday he kept telling me “You know amor, that I don’t have much money, right?”  I couldn’t see why this mattered because I wasn’t expecting anything or why I would be upset that he couldn’t afford to get me anything however, these gifts he made from his heart were far more amazing than anything you could find in any store.

My Suegra (His mom), also got me a birthday cake and they sang me happy birthday and we all celebrated my birthday in the best way possible.  As if I was a part of their family.  All I’ve ever wanted is to just be part of my significant others’ family.  It has always been a requirement and often that has failed along with those past relationships.  My birthday will not soon be forgotten as we continue to learn and grow with each other.  I hope to have them with me for as long as I live.

Yesterday when I went to the gym, which was the day after my birthday, I was asked a million times why I didn’t come for my birthday.  I had to explain to them the amazing day I had.  There is this sweet woman Maria, who works at the gym.  People often look her over and act like they don’t see her because she’s the woman you see cleaning the equipment or moping the restrooms.  Since the first day I went there she always had such a sweet smile on her face and I naturally responded to that and every time I went in there I had to ask her about her day and if she had to deal with any rude people earlier that day.  Well, back to my story…

She stopped me as I was leaving  she yells from down the hall “Hey!  Mijo!”  I turned around and she was walking towards me as fast as she could with her limp that she had from an injury years ago.  She hands me a small bag and in it was a shirt.  She says “Mijo, este es para tu cumpleaños.  Es algo chico pero es pa ti”.  It meant so much to me that she went out of her way to get me this.  Someone who I only see twice a week (If I go both days).  This just spoke to me.   I was in tears in the middle of the gym!  You never know who you may impact or how you impact them.  Love spreads love.  Kindness spreads kindness.  I gave her about 800 hugs before I left.  I don’t know how she knew the shirt would fit me, but It’s a perfect fit and I’m wearing it today to work. 

I hope your week is as amazing and beautiful as mine has been.   

La Marisoul singing me happy birthday