well it seems my 41st year is off to a fabulous start...

i had the loveliest birthday! starting with a 'happy birthday baby' when i woke up, a cup of tea in bed, a lazy morning with ben, my nephew calling me to wish me happy birthday and his trademark 'happy birthday to you' rendition, many many calls and texts from friends and family, lunch at home, hair do at 2pm, then back home to get dolled up and wait for one of my best friends and her sister to pick ben and i up.....

pick us up to take us to my party that is! we were chauffeur driven to the venue where i hosted a 'poker night'...it was fabulous, even if i do say so myself - and that's pretty good considering there were some minor bumps along the way that caused me some anxiety...all of which turned out to be wasted energy! when will i learn to just trust that things will go exactly as they should???

the universe was obviously smiling down on me - beautiful summer's day, not too hot, venue great, poker guy did turn up despite being largely incommunicative and only 1 or 2 no shows...

so nearly 40 of my nearest and dearest gathered to celebrate my 40th birthday - the food was great, my best friend was the official photographer for the night so we got just over 150 photos, most of which are great, the poker was loads of fun, despite me being accused of 'rigging' the result (my brother in law, Neil, won) and i got to see almost every one of my favourite people...

it was lovely for me to have so many people i care about and who have supported, influenced, encouraged me over the years to share my special day with! not the least of whom was ben - it has been a LONG time since i had someone special by my side for celebrations and it was lovely!

two of my very close friends (dr dave and uncle campbell) both commented on how happy i looked, and how ben had been good for me! they are right - he HAS and continues to be great for me and i'm a happier person with him at my side...thank you my ben xx

people who have heard about each other but never met finally got a chance to meet! everybody seemed to have a good time and the poker gave the night a common 'talking point', other than me of course!

so all i can say is this: if the remainder of my 40's is anything like the start has been, then i'm gonna love it! and thank you, thank you, thank you - to all of my loved ones who shared in my birthday celebrations, for being there, for the heartfelt words in the cards you gave me, for the shower of gifts that have made me feel very spoiled...

thank you all!