A perfect birthday.

6:52 a.m.

Woke up to a table of flowers and presents (and a handmade card by my Shawn!)

Shawn has officially learned that I really do want what I ask for - even if it doesn't seem like a "good" gift. I was jumping up and down about this one - no more trips to the post office! I'll send my Etsy packages from home!

Lovely gifts from Germany - Mama & Papa know me well! I loved everything in this box.

Thank you!!

8:55 a.m.

Birthday breakfast with the Brelands.

11:12 a.m.

Get to spend some time with this adorable little guy (who loves posing for the camera!).

And his little brother... who wasn't real thrilled with getting his picture taken (or being put down).

I just love his bib: "Party guy."

(And no, John and Erica, this is not what he did for the entire time he was with me. Promise.) :)

Gabe dancing to John Mayer.

1:08 p.m.

A perfect homemade lunch with Mom and Dad.

Salmon salad.

Butternut squash soup.

Gluten-free cake and strawberries for dessert.

3:54 p.m.

Manicure.

Talked about Viet Nam and how she will probably never go back to see her family there again.

Made me sad.

Told her how I'd visited a couple years ago and thought her country was beautiful.

Made her happy.

6:41 p.m.

Shawn was taking me on a dinner date, but we just so happened to stop by my parents' house first.

That's when I was SURPRISED by these guys!

(And their parents, of course.)

All 11 of these kiddos mean so much to me!

I was even more surprised because I'd already seen some of them earlier in the day.

Birthday cake by my sweet friend Jennifer who couldn't be there.

Too perfect.

The ones who made it all possible.

My birthday party and... well... my birth. :)

New friends and old friends.

Erica and I have only known each other a few months (feels like much longer!) and I have loved getting to spend time with her and her amazing family.

Kate and I have known each other since Kindergarten! She has been at all the major events in my life from elementary birthday parties to bridal showers to our weddings.

Love them both so much.

Introducing the real star of the show... Keebler Tunney.

My sweet Mom who did so much for me today!

My amazing Shawn who made me feel like a princess.

He loves me so, so well.

Shawn's eyes in this picture tell me it was past his bedtime. :)

What a long, wonderful, perfect day!

I absolutely loved it and felt so celebrated and special.

Thank you - all of you - for making my life what it is.

Full and complete.

These precious friends gave me a couple more birthday presents on their blog! Thank you guys! I feel so undeserving of what you said but am incredibly thankful for you both.

Kirra's blog post

Erica's blog post

And this cute video made me smile! Thanks for the cake and presents, Ruby!