30th Birthday Bash Re-Hash

Four days into this whole 30 thing. 

And you know something?
It's not too shabby.

I suddenly feel different.

Older.
Wiser.
More mature.
Confident.
Content.

I feel 30.

I'm also that girl who woke up the day after her wedding.
And felt different.
Like my life had suddenly turned into a personal fairy tale overnight.
*The kind that ends in a cockroach-infested studio apartment, with a broken futon that served as a bed and couch...in the middle of the desert. With no air conditioning.*

Cramped apartment and all.
I loved every moment of that sweet new phase of life.

Kind of like right now.
I woke up the morning of my 30th birthday.
Ready for a new stage of life.
One that I'm sure will suit me well.

Because word on the street is that 30's are the greatest.
I know I'm loving them so far.

It could also be the fact that I'm still full from my three birthday cakes.
And still replaying my most perfect birthday weekend over and over.

But I'll be honest.
I wasn't feeling my best a few weeks back.

In fact.
I was downright sulking.

Wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to my 20's.
To my youth.
And no one had asked a thing about my upcoming golden birthday.
Not my family.
Not Gabe.

So I took matters into my own hands.
Decided to throw myself a party.
One giant pity party.

I knew it was ridiculous to feel sorry for myself.
So, I didn't really speak of my feelings.
I couldn't enter a new decade with that kind of attitude.
So I changed mine.

Until a friend asked what we were doing for my birthday.
And it was like a giant slap-in-the-face reminder.
No plans.

So right then and there, she decided that we were going to go to dinner.
And I instantly felt better.
Yeah. I guess I do deserve a little celebration, I thought to myself.

So I sent a text out to a few friends inviting them to dinner.
And everyone replied within minutes:

Can't find a babysitter. 
Sorry, out of town. 
Nah. We don't want to celebrate your birthday. 

Ok.
I'm kidding about that last one.
But that's pretty much how I took those texts.

Angela. Pity Party of 1.
Again. 

Then came the night of my "birthday celebration".
{I say "birthday celebration" because little did I know that this was not the real deal}.
And my pity instantly turned to confidence.

I decided to put on some lipstick and heels.
And perked right up.
Had an absolute blast with some of my closest pals.
They brought balloons.
And birthday cake.
Doesn't get much better than that.

We reminisced on old memories.
Celebrated a friend who found out she was having a baby boy.
Drank margaritas.
I got carded.
Heaven, I tell ya.

I was on top of the world.
The perfect little birthday.

And what was even more exciting.
Was that Gabe had a surprise lunch date planned for me the next day.
I couldn't wait to have some one-on-one with my number one.

I went to bed feeling so thankful.
So happy.

The next day, we dropped Lyla off with my parents.
I couldn't wait for our much-needed afternoon date!
I asked Gabe if needed to wear anything special.

He told me to wear "garden dress".

Yes!
We're going on a picnic somewhere.
Maybe the botanical gardens?
Or that restaurant where we can watch the planes land?

I love surprise dates.

So we hopped in the car.
And drove.
And drove.
Where in the world is he taking me?

After about 30 minutes, we pulled up to a sign.
Grace Hill Winery. 

I begged Gabe to stop the car.
We have to take pictures, Babe!

He nervously laughed and told me we could take pictures after lunch.

We parked the car.
Gabe grabbed my hand.
We trudged through the vineyard.
He all of a sudden looked a little on edge.
A lady sitting on a bench held up her glass of wine and said, "You here for the party?"
Gabe nervously laughed and asked where the patio was.

We walked around back.
And...

SURPRISE!!!!!

Instant confusion.
And shock.

My mind began spinning.

Is this all for me?
Did Gabe plan all this?
How?
How did he know who to invite?
Wait. Some of you came to dinner last night.

And then I found out Gabe sent out invitations.
And even put our little addressed stamp in the corner on each envelope.

How did he even know we had one of those?

It took a good 30 minutes for everything to soak in.
I walked around in a wine-and-surprise-induced haze for the rest of the day.

I just couldn't believe he pulled this one off.
And that my closest friends were there to celebrate.
And that I hadn't the faintest idea.
Whatsoever.

Such a fun day.
We went on a tour of the winery.
Sampled some fabulous wines.
Purchased more said fabulous wines.
Dined on *Subway* sandwiches for lunch.
Ate cupcakes.
Drank more wine.
And chatted.

It was so mature.
So 30.

I have never felt so special.
So loved.

No detail was forgotten.

Beautiful sunflower centerpieces.
Adorable 3-Oh invites.
Funfetti cupcakes - my favorite.
Surprise sign and balloons.
My very own personal party-pic photog. ;)

Luckily. 

I have the coolest girlfriends on the planet.

*Who may or may not have helped with some of those little details.*


But most of all.
I have the best husband in the whole world.
He really outdid himself this time.
Subway sandwiches and cooler of mini Diet Cokes included. ;)

I'd rank this day up there.
As one of the best.

I'm so thankful my sweet friend was able to capture some moments from the day.
Makes me wish I could carry around a personal pro photographer 24/7.
But that's just not possible.
Or mature.
And I'm 30 now, remember?

But we all know that some of the best pics are those snapped on your iphone.
In the moment.
And I had a lot of great moments.
Many of which were post wining.
Enjoy.

Happy 3-Oh, indeed.