Melly's Musings: My 22nd Birthday
Every year, since my 16th birthday, I've made plans. And by plans, read: I've gone out for a meal. Here's the thing, a lot of girls my age love to go out and party or even throw a huge party for their birthday. That's great - I'm partial to a party myself. Any excuse to get up and dance, I'm there. But I've realised that I really enjoyed my birthday this year because it was low key.
During the couple of weeks before my birthday, my friends asked me what I was doing for my birthday and to be honest, for the first time, I was totally comfortable with saying 'nothing'.
Don't get me wrong here, I LOVE birthdays but celebrating them is such a hassle for me. Last year, I had a meal with my friends, which was FAB. My amazing best friend organised it and I know she worked really hard to make it all happen. I went out for sushi with a friend who couldn't make it to the meal, during the day. We shopped, it was great. Then I had to rush home and get ready. Every year, I get stressed about whether everyone is going to be able to make it. Prior to that, I have to think about who to invite because I'm part of a big church and I have a lot of friends that I would want there.The stress!
This year, that didn't occur. And it was lovely. I worked on the morning. Then headed out with my mom. We spent some proper girly time together, ate and shopped. I loved every second.
After that, Bek picked me up and we headed to Merry Hill. I'm over feeling like I have to go to all of the most glamorous places I know on my birthday. I opened my gifts in the car, we grabbed a Starbucks and it was great. Then I saw my lovely friend Lisa, who had been at work all day. I opened my gifts, had a cup of tea and a chat. Perfect.
When I got home, my family had birthday cake and food waiting for me. All in all, a gorgeous day. On Sunday, we went out for a family lunch, as the second celebration. Sunday evening, a few of my friends came out for food. And guess where we headed? Pizza Hut. No glam, no fuss. No high heels or false eyelashes. No worries. I even wore a beanie that, this year. That never happens.
Stripping my birthday right back to basics made me realise that it isn't spending lots of money and going to a nice restaurant that makes your birthday special. It was spending snippets of time with the people that I love the most and making beautiful memories. Nobody forgot about me just because I didn't have a huge celebration. I felt more loved and spoilt than ever.
So, thank you to everyone who made my birthday special. Even if it was just a text message, tweet or post on my Facebook wall. I replied to and appreciated every single one.
And you know what? 22 feels pretty darn good.
Here are some photos from birthdays past (and one from this year)...
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17. Nat, Bek and I. |
Headed to Zizzi's
18. At Old Orleans, Broad St.
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| 19 |
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| Food at Strada, The Mailbox |
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| Bek and I |
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| French Fancy Birthday Cake |
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| Nat and I |
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| 20. Old Orleans, again. So sad that it closed down. |
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| 21. The family meal at ASK |
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| 21, baby! |
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| 22. Beanie hat, latte, time with my best friend. Perfect. What do you prefer for birthdays? All-out glamour? Or all things simple? Lots and lots of love,  |
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