Once Upon a Birthday

Today we're celebrating my stepdad's birthday.

He and my mom have been married for just over two years, but since they've lived in Vegas up until this summer, this is the first birthday where I get to be with him.

My mom recently had neck surgery so I offered to have Bill's birthday party at my house and offered to make dinner.  My mom took me up on it.

Yesterday I prepared the meal so that today I could just focus on family once they show up.  Said family includes a step brother and sister I've never met.  (Crossin' mah fingers they like me!)  I was having so much fun making the meal, knowing it was for Bill for his birthday and that his kids would be coming and he hasn't seen them in awhile.  Just all over happiness of family coming together.  I don't know how to explain it, I was just feeling so blessed to be able to do this for him.

While cleaning up I was suddenly very emotional.  I was pretty sad pants.

I was remembering the last birthday my dad had.  His 40th.  I was 18, newly married, and decided that this would be the year I'd be a grown up and make a cake and celebrate with him his birthday - for the first time.

I built a cake.  I had thought I remembered him saying German chocolate was his favorite (ew!) so that's what I made.  I bought him a card (no gift because I had no clue what to get the man), then headed a couple towns over to give him the cake.  While on my way there I panicked.  What if the cake was gross?  What if that wasn't his favorite cake after all?  What if I messed up?

So I opened the car door and threw it out alongside the road.

Yes.  I did.

I'll forever regret that I did that.

(I wish I could go back and hug 18 year old insecure Sarah and tell her she did a great job on that cake and her daddy would love it no matter what.)

I haven't had a dad in so many years and Bill is absolutely wonderful to me, I'm feeling honored to make his birthday dinner and celebrate him tonight with his family.

And I'm promising not to throw dinner out alongside the road before they get here.