Birthday

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I had.

The best.

Birthday.

Ever.

You guys know I was stressing. I wanted the day to be awesome, and I had a lot going on right even WITHOUT the birthday drama. I'd been so all-over-the-place upset that Aaron had repeatedly told me he'd send me Batman for my birthday to cheer me up. No matter how many times he said that, it would make me happy every time. He'd tell me to try not to faint XD

The birthday got off to a good start. I woke up at 7am to see my dad and Sarah before they went to school {my dad teaches} and open a couple of presents, because Sarah would probably have peed herself if she'd had to wait until 3:30 when she got home.

From my parents, I opened a portable speaker for my iPod! It's tiny and has amazing sound. It also has a little wristlet cord.

From Sarah, I got "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" DVD, as well as a poster she made with pictures of hott actors :3 Heath Ledger. Christian Bale, Hayden Christensen, Kevin Bacon, Jeremy Sumpter, and Alex Pettyfer. I love her.

Then I went back to bed XD

Two hours later my mom and I had breakfast, then I did a bunch of nothing and showered and at 12ish we went to Panera Bread to eat lunch.

We had a really great time. We talked. *I* actually talked. I told her a lot of things that are going on, and--as usual--felt cold and naked after I was done. Only this time I told her that talking made me feel that way. And we talked about THAT XD

Then we went to a store called Splurges that I had never been to before. I LOVED it. I got a necklace and two bracelets, one of which is silver leather {whatever XD} and says "COURAGE." It has to do with something God may have revealed to me at this conference over the weekend.

While were in the store, I saw some earrings that matched the ones I had on. I picked them up and was like, "Ha, if I had my second earring hole I'd wear these in the first ones and the ones I have in the second."

Momma laughed too. Then we stopped and looked at each other.

"Can we do that?" I said suddenly. "Can we go get my second hole?"

She hesitated only a second before saying, "Sure. If you really want to."

So I did it.

I got my second hole. I didn't overanalyze it. I didn't wig out about it. I didn't second-guess myself. I knew I wanted to do it, I decided to go for it, I walked into the store and just DID IT.

It's really not a big deal, but guys, I never do stuff like that XD

It hurt more than my first holes, and the lady did something weird with my right ear. The hole is in the right place and everything, but she didn't push the gun hard enough or at the right angle or something, 'cause she was like, "Ooh..." and it hurt like a bitch. But it's fine now XD

And I got to sign all the paperwork myself, being 18 and all >:) Ohhhhhhhh, the power. I feel so legit now.

So anyway, I came home and went to tutor Collin. He found out it was my birthday and was very surprised. He said, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" and then halfway through the homework he suddenly said, "Well, I wish I had known it was your birthday so I would have got you a present." :) He's occasionally awesome.

When I got home, my friends Jesse and Cassidy were already there, and I had a zillion more presents to open from my parents and Sarah. There was also a mysterious package from Amazon that had appeared on the front porch.

From My Family:

~ The album "Lungs" by Florence + the Machine

~ A huge Batman coloring book

~ A decorate "S" picture...thing

~ Batman magnets

~ AN AMAZING DIGITAL CAMERA

~ A little Batman tin pail

Then there was the mysterious Amazon package. My parents claimed to know nothing about it. I didn't believe them. But they were telling the truth.

I picked up the package. It was small and extremely light. Hm.

I took my dad's pocketknife, slit the tape, and opened the box. At first all I saw were little, clear packing-pillows, but when I took them out...

There was a tiny plush Batman.

:OOOOOOOOOOOO

OH MY GOSH. HE WAS ADORABLE. HOLY COW.

I was laughing and open-mouthed and shocked and ecstatic and actually sort of teary-eyed. But who...?

I knew who I thought it was from, but I wasn't sure. Then my dad, smiling, handed me the little receipt/card:

"Try not to faint. - Aaron"

:OOOOOOO

:DDDDDDDD

He hadn't been kidding! He really sent me Batman!

That completely made my life. You really don't even understand. I'm pretty sure that's the best present anyone has ever given me. What makes it even greater is the fact that for the past week, Aaron's been telling me that he was going to send me Batman. But I thought...I thought he was kidding! It never occurred to me that he might actually SEND ME BATMAN. Lols XD It was just great.

Then all my friends showed up except Daniel, who's sick {:(} and we ate dinner, watched Tangled, and had an amazing time. Brianna wasn't annoying; Kirsten wasn't too hyper; Cassidy seemed like herself; Jesse didn't get marginalized; Sam was the best version of himself; and David wasn't a territorial douche. He and Sam even got along. THAT was a great birthday present!

We also named the plushie Batman. Because "Baby Batman" just does not work. We decided on "Quasi-B."

After the movie, people mostly stuck around for a while, but eventually the night had to come to and end.

I can't even tell you how amazing today was. I talked to my mom, I did something spontaneous, Batman came to see me, we watched a favorite Disney movie, and I felt the love of my friends. I had such amazing friends, guys. You just don't even know. They're so great. I love them a whole lot :)

I've got to learn to stop stressing. Life happens amazingly when you just let it do its thing.

Eighteen is off to the best possible start.

~Stephanie