Isabelle (not-too-long-ago) turned 11.
This is a girl that thinks about her birthday for approximately 360 days a year, give or take.
During the 6 months that follow her birthday I refuse her attempts to engage me in birthday-themed conversations. You know, all the things she’d like to get for her birthday, what kind of cake she’d like, what sort of party she’s thinking of having.
Because her birthday is two seasons away.
But sometime after Christmas, I begin to indulge her.
I bite off on the as-I-tuck-her-into-bed remarks she makes about her next birthday. I let her go on about what she saw on TV that she wants to add to her ever-growing birthday list.
Yes, I know she will change her mind more times than there are hairs on her head about Every. Single. Thing we discuss.
But despite the seeming meaninglessness of the conversations, they still mean something. Because they mean so much to her.
Because this is a girl that loves to be celebrated.
And it’s pretty hard to be around her on or anywhere near her birthday and not have a little of that joy rub off on you.
On this day, pre-party, we ran a few errands at her request. Traditionally I take the birthday person to Target to buy party supplies, with a treat on the way.
Among many other things, Isabelle chose a pink, inflatable crown that she promptly donned in the parking lot as she knocked back the Hershey bar she so smoothly requested in the check-out line.
Everyone knows momma don’t buy candy from the check out line. But on this day, her birthday, she said, “Mom? You know these candy bars? Yeah, Hershey bars? I *really* love them. And I haven’t had one in a long, long time.”
Then onto our next errand and she accompanied me into the store, leaving her big brother and several younger siblings jealously waiting in the car, pink crown still in place.
As we checked out she whispered (if you can really call almost-talking a whisper) to me, stomach pressed against the check-out counter, “Mom? Is it okay if I tell the lady that it’s my BIRTHDAY?”
Hmmmm, think she hasn’t already noticed the pink crown and the traces of Hershey chocolate encircling your mouth?
“Sure Mei, you can tell her.”
“It’s my birthday today! I’m 11! And I love this necklace you have right here, is that a diamond?” she said as she patted the dingy rhinestone pendant necklace hanging over the lost and found sign.
She walked out with that necklace and a well-worn Hello Kitty necklace draped around her neck.
She was beaming.
And it was impossible to not smile right along with her.
Personal pizzas made by Isabelle herself. Giant cookie cake. Glow sticks. Sparkling candles. Three kinds of soda. Party horns and punching balloons.
Yes, she waited a long 364 days for this day to come. But I think she was pretty pleased with how her big day went down.
Happy Birthday, sweet girl. You make celebrating you such fun.