Happy Birthday to Me

I'm 34.  And let's be honest, birthdays really aren't a big deal anymore.  I am perfectly fine with just having it be another day and letting it slide on by.  I envision a quite night out with my hubby maybe.  This year, that was not the case.  It was Homecoming at West Ottawa.  After a week of insane school spirit, my birthday fell on Friday: the day of the annual Homecoming Assembly.  This is of course an assembly to not be missed; I had Panther Pride coming out of my pores.  (To get a taste of this you can check out clips of the assembly: Senior Walk, Senior Mock Rock, Teacher Mock Rock, and more.  And of course in addition to all of this, my students and my family threw in some birthday celebrations.  It is a day that will not soon be forgotten.

First, my students secretly put a video in our morning program that both made me cry and then I was overcome with embarrassment (the show goes to over 2500 students, plus the staff, plus online to parents and the community where it lives forever).  If you'd like to check out this touching (and embarrassing) video that was already broadcast to the entire WOHS community, it's here at 3:34...

Then my family showed up with four dozen donuts.  Brighton was a bit shy, but Tilden couldn't get enough of all the craziness.  I love how she is hanging out with my students...a sea of black and white that day.

Then one of my students brought in an ice-cream cake (she works at Dairy Queen).  I had a donut and a piece of ice-cream cake before 9:30 am.  Yes, a sugar high and a gut ache.

Whoa!  I was never wished "Happy Birthday" so many times in my entire life.  When I got home I was ready to crash.  I did get to hit Nordstrom Rack on Saturday for a bit.  Just being able to go was a great gift.  Jon, maybe a nice night out next weekend?  Life is busy and often chaotic, but I am for sure a 34 year old that feels loved.