A Fabulous Fiftieth Birthday Party
Among my most favorite posts I’ve shared on the blog over the past 13 years now have been the parties! So many parties! Many of you have been with me through what feels like a thousand celebrations, each marking some major life event, from my kids’ birthdays to going-away parties for friends, to wedding showers and baby showers then to grandbabies’ first birthdays! I’ve typed out my passion that life should be about celebrating everything– even the day to day, and you’ve joined me in that fun.
As I type this, I am days away from a grand milestone!… One that I can barely wrap my head around as I think about it. And yet, when I think back on all I’ve experienced in every glorious decade, 50 years almost seems possible! In fact, it feels like I’ve lived 101 years’ worth of blessings for one person, so fitting all of that into 50 is quite a bargain.
I may sound redundant or to some even boastful (which I pray is not the case), but I hope I never forget to speak of how grateful I am to God for the people and influences He has put into my life who have made me who I am at this point. I have been shown the most love and encouragement and Christ-like character of anyone I know through so many people, and it’s my goal to try to pass that on to other people under my influence in every stage.
I am extremely humbled by the love of my friends I’ve had through the years, including my family members, and especially the friends I’ve kept all my life. And now, I’m blessed with an added circle of besties in my own adult kids.
My best friend on earth through all of it has been Dave, whom you have witnessed as a phenomenon of a person throughout the life of this blog, but he has been that since the actual moment I met him. He is one of the most evident ways I’ve experienced God’s goodness to me, and at the top of the list of things I’ll never deserve, even if I live another 50 years on earth.
So you will not be surprised to learn that the people I’m so blessed by in this life overwhelmed me once again with a fabulous party in all my favorite colors and styles and flavors and foods. From the colorful invitation designed by Abby, to the tiniest details and disco balls… it was perfect. So naturally, I have to share it with you all!
They transformed a local venue barn into a vibrant and sparkling party space full of flowers and fun in just a couple hours, and when I arrived, this is what I saw!
The cake was a delicious masterpiece!
The taco bar was just right!
Macarons, chocolates, cupcakes, and cheesecakes were more of my favorites in one place!
But the people are and will always be my favorite part of celebrating. It was so sweet to see a sampling of some of the amazing people in my life at this moment together, taking the time to wish me a happy birthday.
These are some of the best parts of what turning 50 is about…
These are my fabulous girlfriends including two of my daughters who worked so hard to make this special.
My brother and my mom… (my sister couldn’t be here but we celebrated later!)
And so many other friends and family! (Many not pictured)
It was a sweet night, and after some rain, God gave us a double rainbow for a beautiful backdrop to wrap up the party.
I’m planning to keep this half-century celebration going for much of the year, and we’ll celebrate Dave shortly as he turns 50 as well! What we’ve witnessed together over our portion of those years together is a story of the goodness of God through all kinds of seasons. I’ve shard much of it here… some of it on personal levels with people who know us well, and some of it has yet to be told. May my story, however many years long it is, always be that life with Jesus is the only way. For as long as I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.