9.9.14

continuing on with the birthday theme….so my friend Jenna + her circle of people do this thing on birthdays where they have a small gathering of their closest friends [or a family thing!!!] and everyone goes around and tells that person what they love about them. she started this for me on my 30th birthday surprise party night and it was the sweetest birthday night of my life.  I mean, who doesn’t want to hear why your friends love you, or be re-told sweet stories, and laugh and cry all at the same time?

[jenna at my 30th birthday// photo by Alison Holcomb]

The first time I went to Jenna’s birthday I was so nervous.  [I mean, give me some wine first] but now I absolutely love it.  this is not at all something that I grew up doing with friends or family, but it’s something I want to do with our kids and friends.  Our other friend Lana and her family started it and they do it for each of their kids birthdays.  Everyone in the family will go around and tell that person what they love about them.  Can’t you just picture this being a memory your kids will have for a lifetime?

this voice memo is my “practice” note to myself of what I was going to tell Jenna on her birthday last month.  and as I think about, it really should be a PRACTICE.  We should tell the people around us what we love about them or how much we appreciate them every day.  even if it’s awkward.  even if you cry.  it might be uncomfortable, but no one said loving people was easy.

let’s change the way we love people, and let’s TELL THEM about it.

do you have any fun birthday traditions?  I wanna hear!