A Birthday to Remember

I woke last Friday, the morning of my 50th birthday, to my lover Paul arriving at my bedside, and sweetly slipping under the covers alongside my warm, sleepy body.

We lounged comfortably in one anothers arms, and talked about things of no particular importance. As lovers do, we kissed and caressed and shared appreciation for being in each others lives in our own unique way.

Suddenly, there was a bump on the window above my head. I jolted upright only to see a masked man wearing a cowboy hat, scarf and trench coat, and taping a “happy birthday” banner to my window. My initial startle turned to glee and my day of celebration was officially on a roll.

Paul and I wandered off to breakfast (or at least I thought that was where we were going), when instead of breakfast, Paul delivered me to the yoga studio. I entered the studio rather confused, only to find my dear friend Joy waiting for me at the inner door. It took me a moment before I realized that this was part of the plan! Paul kissed me on the check, told me to enjoy my day, and suggested that whenever asked, I simply say “yes”.

After yoga Joy asked if I’d like to grab a quick breakfast. Remembering the words of Paul I said, without hesitation, “yes”. As we walked to the car another masked man jumped out from behind the hedge. Joy and I both let out a little screech of startle. This man pretended to be menacing and told me to be quiet while he sang “You are so beautiful to me…..” and wrapped me in bright red tinsel, covered me in stickers and put bows upon my jacket. When he was complete he ran off down the railroad tracks with a bit of a skip and jump.

I giggled my way into the car and on to the restaurant. Joy suggested she drop me at the front door and she would go park the car and be right back. I said “yes”.

As I walked into the restaurant I noticed there was a large crowd waiting to be seated and thought perhaps we should go somewhere else, as I knew Joy was in a hurry and this was not known to be a speedy restaurant (albeit my favorite). After only a few steps inside the jam-packed restaurant I found Thunder (or should I say Thunder found me), dear friend #3. He reached through the crowd to grab my hand, and led me to a table for two. He had already ordered us breakfast. It took me a minute (or two) to realize the perfection of this moment, and the brilliance of the design that Thunder and I would get to have a one-on-one breakfast. As Thunder described his appreciation of our friendship, masked man #3 sauntered up to our table. He was dressed in a black wool jacket with the collar turned up high. He handed me a rose, whispered Rumi in my ear, and left me with a kiss……. I said yes.


I suddenly felt transition in the air. Thunder was putting on his jacket, had paid the bill and was ushering me out the door. We left our breakfast partly undone and stepped out the front door into the cool, crisp, wintery morning, to find a pedi-bike waiting for us (this is one of those bikes that have a little bench seat carriage on the back). Thunder helped me into the carriage, the driver covered us with a blanket, and we set off on the chilly (and wonderful) ride to town. We chatted and laughed and giggled all the way to the plaza. Thunder tapped the driver on the shoulder and said, “you can let me off here”. He kissed me on the cheek and bolted off into the park. The driver turned to me and said, “where to?”. “I have no idea, you better ask that man….” And as I pointed toward Thunder, he disappeared behind the hedge. The driver said, “Oh, I know where you’re going.” We continued on up the road.

Soon I saw another friend, Maya, standing on the sidewalk. She was here to take me for a stroll in the park (yet another one of my favorite things). As we strolled along, masked man #4 came bounding across the grass, grabbed my hand, fell to one knee, sang some-thing-or-other, and kissed me long and hard on the mouth. He completed the kiss with the smirk of a bandit and ran off down the park.

We giggled our way through the park, until, after much dawdling, Maya delivered me to masked man #5. This particular man was sitting on a park bench looking rather menacing. He remained silent, stood, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a postcard with a picture of the Beatles and on the back it said “Dear Prudence, If you want me to I will. Love, Ringo”. He asked if he could give me a ride, I said yes…..

It was a short trip to the spa, and took me but a moment to see the names of dear friends on the sign in sheet and realize there was a party going on in the hot tubs! We soaked, giggled, floated, hung out in the sauna, and Jessica washed my hair.

With the most perfect of timing, Dear Friend #5, Jacquelene, showed up, with instructions to “wisk me away to my next destination”. I said yes….

As we got into her car, she blindfolded me, put on music, and told me to relax. We drove a bit, and then a bit more, and then we arrived……

Jacquelene walked me into the house blindfolded, removed my outerwear and boots and led me into, what I knew to be, the living room. I could hear the fire, I could sense people in the room, and I could smell the aroma of yumminess.

These friends asked if I’d like to remain blindfolded, or take it off. I chose to stay blindfolded for awhile and let myself drink in the anticipation and joy in the air. I quickly ascertained what friends were in the room and felt loved and held and appreciated and seen. I spent the next four hours receiving the real royal treatment. The gave me a massage, yummie food and a hot tub.

Upon completion of the Royal Treatment, I was delivered to the actual birthday party, where all the masked men and friends of the day were gathered, all wearing masks, and all ready to receive and celebrate me.

The evening included dinner, ice cream (instead of a cake, cuz it’s my favorite) dancing, story telling and more. We sang and danced in the new year, we set our intentions and we witnessed our love and friendship.


I have never felt more loved, been more seen, been held more dearly or honored so deeply by such a beautiful group of people.

Today I feel well loved, and am in deep appreciation of this as a reflection of loving well.

My 50th year on this planet is easily summed up in the words of Paul McCartney, “and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make”.

Thank you for giving me so much to love.

On a day when the wind is perfect,
the sail just needs to open
and the love starts.

Today is
such a day
~ Rumi

*Masked Men: 1) Ross 2)Randy 3)Cary 4)Paul 5)Stevo - THANKS!