13(ish) Going on 30

I can't believe I am now the BIG 30! I seriously thought this day would never come. 30 seems so grown up and mature to me and I am far from that! I still think of myself as a 21 year old. But I hardly look it. I've never had a big party thrown for me and I love surprises, so about 6 months ago I told Dan that I wanted a surprise party for my 30th birthday. He laughed and said, "well, it won't be a surprise if you know about it." I just thought I'd let him know and he could work it out. Anyways, May 16th was the day and it was fabulous thanks to my sweet hubby and friends and family. It sarted off a week early. On May 9th, we went to my mom's house to what I thought was a surprise party for my new bro-in-law, Jeff, whose birthday was that day. Well it was a surprise for him and ME! It really did surprise me. I walked in the door (we were a few minutes late and they had already surprised Jeff) and my family all yeled "SURPRISE" and they sprayed me with silly string. I said, "oh, you guys are funny," thinking they were just being crazy. It wasn't until I'd walked up the stairs and noticed a banner that read, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF AND HEATHER!" I had an ice cream cake (that was to die for) from Coldstone that I'd requested in my not so subtle hints to Dan a few months early ~ "Honey, IF you throw me a surprise party for my birthday, could you get an ice cream cake from Coldstone?" Well, he took the hint. Then he sent me on a little treasure hunt that led me out to my parent's shed where there was headboard and footboard for our bedroom! Thanks honey! The following day we celebrated my birthday at the Doney's where I got Gift Cards to Ross, Walmart (so I could buy National Treasure 2 when it came out) and to the Movies. Thanks Doney's! So fastforward a week to May 16th. Dan told me we were going to McGrath's Fishhouse with some friends and family. So off we went. When I got out to the car after we dropped the kids off at his parent's, there was a necklace with some small diamonds in it. So beautiful! Dinner was so good and the company was even better. Then towards the end of the meal, Dan said, "we've gotta go now." So we left and drove home. He parked in the driveway instead of the garage (odd) then as we were walking up to the front door I noticed it was unlocked and he just walked in. Right then I saw my living room full of people and then "SURPRISE!" followed by the "HAPPY BIRTDHAY!" song. Dan had thrown the first party to try and throw me off so that I'd think that was it and not suspect anything. Well it worked! He had bought the decorations a few weeks earlier and dropped them off at my neighbors, the Dean's. So while we were at dinner, they came over and decorated! It was so fun to see everyone. Thanks so much for coming! After everyone left, Dan told me he had some emails from people who couldn't make it. Thanks for the emails. One of my dearest friends, Debbie, couldn't come because she was in No. Dakota so she emailed me a poem. It made me laugh! Thanks Deb, I love it! So my birthday was awesome! Thank you Dan for making my transition into the 30's an easy one! I love you!

The poem Debbie (Campbell) Brown wrote me:

Our history takes us back a bit, to 1988
When I moved from Idaho, to this, the greatest state.

On the first day of school, you knocked on my door, a friend I needed, surely.
But I was a geek and had already left- "I had better be there early!"

In 6th grade, my secret boyfriend, only you knew who's heart I carried,
But who would guess that after high school, it was YOU he married!!!!!

Through the years and through the kids (and through the husbands if you're me)
We pee our pants, and roll pumpkins, and yes we like BRITNEY!

We can still act 12 and get away with it, it's Emo's grave we disturb,
But when you're laughing with a bunch of girls....you better find a curb!

And when we visit Hobbit-ville, just watch Heather fidget-
Nothing puts fear into her, like a bunch of evil midgets!

When I turned 30 I laughed and cried, hee hee hee ha ha
little did I know that meant, I'd become an old GRANDMA!!!!

When they sing to you today, how I wish I was there to hear it,
Just think of me, and remember to pee- because I am here in SPIRIT!

Don't ever think that as we age, we will get old and grey,
Until our dying day we'll be FOREVER YOUNG AND GAY!

Love you to peices! Have a great 30th.
Love,

Deb-T
Campbell
Brown