Nate is 40! It feels so weird, mainly because it doesn’t feel any different than being 30. We’re still us. He’s still him. But now he walks around with the big 40! label attached to him. So weird.

It certainly wasn’t the type of celebration I’d always imagined, but then again, I didn’t anticipate a global economy crash, either. So I couldn’t import Michael Andrew (loud site warning) and his big band from Florida to play at a huge swing dance party this year. Dangit. That’s been my plan for 10 years now. (And it would have been SO AWESOME)!

BUT, we did have a really nice evening at home with the kids and Nate’s parents, which is what he wanted.

I spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen making biryani and homemade angel food cake (at his request). Best. cake. ever. And that was pretty much it. Except…. for sweet little Veronica. I swear, she’s the most creative and thoughtful person I know. She continues to amaze me. All on her own, the dear, she made this

and filled it with strips of paper on which she wrote as many things she could think of that we love about him. I’m sorry to say that when she went to her sisters to ask them what they wanted to put in the box, they laughed her right out of the room, telling her it was a stupid idea to give a “piece of paper” as a gift. Broke my heart.

So she did it on her own. Not only that, but she included things about Nate that she knew her sisters liked, and included them as if they were written by her sisters. I’m tearing up just typing the story. She told Nate to take it to his office and use it when he’s having a rough day. I love that little girl.

It was a fun albeit low key night. Abby was in attendance that evening, but was in her usual “don’t take a picture of me” mood.

Over the weekend, Nate’s parents and siblings surprised him and took him out for a fun night of sushi and a movie. Happy Birthday, honey!