Hello my dearest Hiversssss! My birthday just passed y'all, it was last Friday the 13th. I didn’t throw a party, didn’t book a trip, and didn’t even buy myself a slice of cake. Honestly, it was just another regular day, or at least, that’s what I thought it would be. Haha, let me backtrack a little. On June 12, it was a holiday in the Philippines. It was Independence Day. No work! I was free the entire day and what did I spend my time doing? Absolutely nothing. I spent the whole day in bed like a human burrito. There was no productivity, no chores, no drama, only me, my blanket, and my phone. I was scrolling through social media, watching the ceiling, switching positions every now and then to not feel so guilty for lying down all day, and repeating. It was great. Sometimes, doing nothing is exactly what we really need.
June 13 was my birthday. Since it was a workday, I didn’t plan anything. I didn’t even mention it to most people. Truth be told, I’ve never been that into celebrating my own birthday. I get way more riled and excited about other people’s birthdays, especially my family’s. I love preparing little surprises for them, planning out simple celebrations, and just seeing their reactions. But as for me? I am satisfied to just live, be happy, and eat what is in front of me. Time marches on, and so must another year and another chapter. That’s already enough. However, as everyone knows, everybody around me had their plans.
The night before my birthday, while I was mentally preparing to clock in the next day and expecting that it was just another ordinary Friday, my partner appeared out of the blue. He brought me some food, a birthday cake, and a bouquet. I was laughing, caught in my house clothes, having my water tumbler beside me. It was most lovely. No treading on eggshells, I did not suggest anything, I did not allude to anything, and there he was doing his best. Honestly, that small surprise made my heart full and my stomach as well HAHAHAHA.
Fast forward to the next day, birthday at work. I came in thinking, "Okay, it’s another day, hopefully I will get through and I can treat myself with an extended lunch time hahaha." But there was surprise number two. My office colleagues had arranged a cute surprise for me. While I was in the comfort room, my manager said we would be having our morning huddle already. But there were flowers, another cake waiting, and to top it all off, the lechon belly. I was speechless and also immediately got hungry, thus I bought two roasted chickens and ice cream as additional. I didn’t expect anything at all, so that simple gesture really made me so grateful for the people around me. Thus, it wasn’t about the food (well, maybe 40% of it was😂😂), but more about the thought behind it. They really went out of their way just to make my day feel special, and that alone already made it a birthday to remember.
So yeah, there was no big party. I didn’t go out or do anything extravagant. But I was surrounded by love, effort, and food, three things I will always be grateful for. Now, cheers to another year older hehe, I'm now 23. Though I'm not fond of big celebrations, I've always been thankful for the quiet joys and little sweet surprises.
