Fill The Love Tank

Since I was a kid, birthdays have always been very special to me. On birthdays, you got to choose the events of the day, you got surprises and gifts up the ying yang and in general, it was a fun and special day that was tailor made just for you.

Hubby had a very different experience with birthdays growing up. In his family, birthdays weren't such a big deal. They kind of came and went with no special way to mark them.

When we got married six years ago, our differences in this area became painfully clear. When he turned 40, I went all out and threw him a big surprise party with all his friends and family, good food and fun games. One year, he bought me a vase. Another year, a pair of earrings that I went to replace.

This year, after 5 years of being disappointed, I decided not to have any hopes or expectations. Hubby said that he wanted to take me out to our favorite restaurant for my Hebrew birthday and I really was not in the mood to go out. The war, my baby's hand saga, overwhelming exhaustion...I had a million excuses.Finally, with a tremendous amount of coaxing, he convinced me that I needed a night out, that I needed a break from the kitchen, etc.

At our favorite restaurant, he presented me with a very appreciated gift...A gift certificate for a massage, always a welcome treat for a tired, underpaid and overworked mama. I was content. And as I was sharing with him that this was the perfect gift and showing deep appreciation, suddenly behind me, I hear a loud group burst into the Hebrew version of "Happy Birthday to you" and I make nothing of it until I hear my name.

I turn around and I see my nearest and dearest friends from all over Israel. Some had driven two hours to make the surprise. My heart turned to mush as my jaw dropped. These wonderful friends whom I love. This fabulous husband whose love for me knows no bounds...Every ounce of birthday disappointment that I had ever experienced with my husband completely disappeared in one night. And it struck me. My love tank was running on empty. And knowing me like he does, Hubby came up with the perfect medicine...Bringing together my dearest friends to celebrate.

There are a few things I learned from my very special birthday this year:

1) I knew this but it became clearer than daylight that Hubby loves me deeply and would do anything to make me happy.

2) Sometimes when you don't expect anything, you get a surprise beyond your wildest dreams.

3) I have fantastic friends

4) I need to stay on top of my love tank and when it's starting to dry up, so that I know it needs a refill

With Love,

Cigal