A unique fact that you may not know about me is that I love anticipation. For as long as I can remember, I loved looking forward to April 25, 2016 — My golden birthday — The day I would turn 25 on the 25th.

My family kept our Christmas decorations up, tree and all, since the holidays just so that I could have the Christmas-themed golden birthday celebration I had always dreamed of. As you likely know, I am absolutely crazy about Christmas. (And if you don’t know that about me… Have we met? Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Sabrina the elf. What’s your favorite color?)

This was the beginning of a beautiful tradition. Now it is an unspoken rule that we will keep our Christmas tree up through my birthday. 

But while I was looking forward to my special day, I admittedly wasn’t ready for my beloved Christmas decorations to go away soon thereafter. Such complex emotions. To be quite honest, the anticipation had been so  very fun, I had to wonder: Could a golden birthday really be that much better than all the other birthdays?

Ready or not, April 25, 2016, arrived at last. I had just rolled out of bed and put on the proper attire (Christmas jammies, of course) when my Aunt Janet danced through the front door. Her rendition of a popular birthday song you have likely heard before was better than any other; Aunt Janet has undeniably smooth moves, much akin to Michael Jackson. (We could start calling her Janet Jackson, but that could potentially raise some confusion.) The golden birthday was off to a perfect start. Aunt Janet was the first person, aside from my parents and the medical personnel in the delivery room, to welcome me into this world. We have had a very special friendship ever since. She has been a part of every single one of my birthdays, so, quite simply, if Aunt Janet isn’t with me it can’t possibly be my birthday.

As I took a look around my whole house, taking in all of the Christmas spirit, I found a a giant plate of cookies and a beautiful sheet cake decorated with a Christmas card photo of my Alice Eloise.  I had to wonder: How ever could my parents and Aunt Janet possibly eat all this food by themselves?

We may never know the answer to that, because before I knew it, about 30 people walked through the front door singing Christmas carols. Surprise!

My Aunt Lesia is big on birthdays, most especially golden birthdays. So she came up with the genius idea to throw a surprise Christmas golden birthday party for me. I simply love surprises, Christmas, and parties, so I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my golden birthday than by my Christmas tree, surrounded by family and friends. (My big sister’s boss even gave her the day off for this special “holiday”. Thanks, man!.) I have the answer to my lifelong question: Yes, golden birthdays really are that much better than other birthdays!

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Today I am here to prove that point. Once again it is technically my birthday, but to be honest I am trying my best to forget that. Instead of partying I am having surgery today — And I would greatly appreciate your prayers.

But if you think this is a pity party about a “year without a birthday,” you would be wrong.

On Monday my big sister, Krista, and I had a joint celebration for both of our birthdays, together with our mama, Aunt Janet, my nephew Everett, and of course Alice Eloise and Lulu. When we are together, it is always a party!

Last night, after a long day at the hospital for a pre-anesthesia consultation, I was admittedly kinda bummed about the day ahead of me. Then all of the sudden the front doorknob turned. How odd…  I wasn’t expecting anybody. Next thing I knew, a few of my friends from church were in my living room wearing party hats and singing a Christmas carol. Or, more accurately, a Christmas/birthday song hybrid: “We wish you a happy birthday.” This was the third time in my life that people have been inspired to serenade me with Christmas songs (hey, I told you I love Christmas!), and each and every time I have been 100% surprised. A burglar could enter my home singing Christmas carols and I would think they were throwing a surprise party for me. But it was so lovely to have an unexpectedly fun night celebrating around a Christmas tree with my friends instead of being sad about not having a birthday.

Of course I certainly don’t want to be spending today in the hospital. This is my first birthday ever spent without Aunt Janet by my side. But you know, I really can’t complain. My party started Monday, and I fully intend to pick up where I left off just as soon as I get out of here! I even plan to sleep by my Christmas tree during my recovery, with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head.

Alice Eloise and I have been on all kinds of adventures since you last heard from us. I can’t wait to fill you in soon. But for now I better wrap this up. Thanks for checking in, friends! See ya on the flip side!