Happy Birthday to Me

I had a birthday over the weekend. Not a milestone year (one that ends in a zero), but rather, my last birthday to ever start with a 3. My youth: officially over. (How did that happen?) But time marches on, and lucky for me, I had the fortune of ringing in my 4th decade in true Fare to Remember style: good friends, good food, good times.

It was a happy day.

So what does happiness look like when you're me? Pretty simple:

• Happiness is a husband who plans a party and cares enough to fill me in on the surprise.
• Happiness is a friendly game of softball, played simply for the joy of camaraderie.

• Happiness is six strike-outs for the kids, and practice swings all around.
• Happiness is having a mom who not only came all the way from Utah to help celebrate, but spoiled me rotten when she was here.
• Happiness is five dozen gourmet cupcakes. Five dozen.

• Happiness is grilled hot dogs with all the fixins. Sausages too.

• Happiness is peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
• Happiness is Jessica's chocolate peanut butter brownies and Jeff's Amish Apple Cake.
• Happiness is a crowd of friends and family members, many strangers to each other, making themselves at home.
• Happiness is a brand new set of pots and pans.

• Happiness is Linda's famous 3-ingredient artichoke dip.
  
• Happiness is a dad who can always be counted on to have a cooler full of ice and drinks.
• Happiness is a perfect October afternoon.
• Happiness is a barking blind dog.
• Happiness is Anthony's first base skills, Dolly's second base skills, Dunny's outfield skills and Glen's lack of base running skills.
• Happiness is Jeff on the mound, and Kelsey taking one for the team.
• Happiness is the Australian pulling off the bunt play.
  
• Happiness is "Happy Birthday" sung by Mia.
• Happiness is dozens of kids, both young and old.
• Happiness is having way too many happy moments than could ever be listed here.

Thanks everybody who came out to play. It means the world. As for next year? Bring it on 40, bring it on.