It seems so easy to post about my girls’ birthdays, but I don’t think I’ve ever posted about mine. It was yesterday. My mom called to sing “Happy Birthday” to me and asked if I felt 37. I told her all year I’ve been thinking, “I’ll be 37 this year” – so in my mind I’ve already been here, and I’m not sure I was ever 36!

However, I’ll be honest. This was not an easy birthday – for other reasons. Personal reasons that I really don’t want to share with you, but I’m going to. Yesterday morning I texted my Bible study leader and told her I wouldn’t be at Bible study. I didn’t tell her this, but it was because I was afraid that I would literally break down. And I did, in the comfort of my own living room, just between me and God. You see, every year my birthday comes around there’s this ache in my heart for my friends. My true friends. The ones who used to call me up and take me out to lunch or go out for pedicures on my birthday. They are still my true friends and I love them so much, but they live hundreds of miles away now.

One of them called from Alabama to sing Happy Birthday with the cha-cha-cha’s which made me smile. And she sent me a practical gift. We’ve only known each other for about five years, but she knows me. She’s good at buying just the right gift. Check these out:

They are called Gloveables, and I love them! Have you ever seen anything so adorable? Soapmakers, I know you want a pair! And every other woman needs a pair too – imagine cleaning your toilets wearing these beauties!

Anyway, my husband (who really is my best friend) took me out to lunch at Red Robin – where you can get a free burger on your birthday! I let him eat it, so I could order a salad. I almost always eat salads whenever we eat out. Then we went to Culver’s to get ice cream – where you can get a free sundae with two toppings on your birthday! I ate it all by myself and let him get his own ice cream!

I had over 80 Facebook friends wish me a happy birthday. How cool is that? I even heard from some of you, my readers. What a blessing to connect with people I’ve never met in real life! The best part of my day, however, was when I finally got around to reading the devotional I receive every day in my inbox from Proverbs 31 Ministries. It was just what I needed to hear. I think it’s going to take my relationship with God to a new level.

So it ended up being a really great day overall! I’m blessed in more ways than I can count. I know I have Jesus and that should be enough. But I think one of the strongest ways He shows His love for us is through relationships with people on this earth. What do you think?