Chasing Dreams: The Never-Ending Birthday Surprises

24. It's weird to think that's how old I am now. But it's true; another year has come and gone.

What's also weird is that this may have been the best birthday I've ever had! Despite the fact that I'm so far away from friends and family, my Spanish friends here made my birthday so special.

It started with a wonderful surprise party thrown by Ana Bello the day before my birthday (Thursday)! Apparently I arrived a little early to my own party, so Kike came to the rescue! We "had to go buy the drinks" because he, Ana and I were going to have dinner together. Ok I thought, nothing strange here. We walked around foreverrrrr, and went to a grocery store way out of our way (in fact we passed two others on on our way there!). We were chatting about this and that, superhero movies, Megan Fox and Zac Effron (and yes, all of this was in Spanish!), and FINALLY, what was probably 30 or 40 minutes later, we walked back to Ana's apartment. The whole house was filled with a great aroma, and by this point I was wondering if she had planned something, but all I could think of was just a special dinner.

Than seven of my friends pop out and yell "SURPRISE!!!"! There was a banner wishing me a happy birthday, and a delicious Spanish meal cooked just for me. There was even cake and a candle for me to make a wish (which I did in Spanish. Booya)! I was further surprised by presents given to me by Ana and Mercedes - a ring, a purse, and a wallet! The whole night was so thoughtful and so amazing. It made me feel so loved, knowing that my friends here wanted to help celebrate my birthday with me.

The night was capped off with an impromptu skype chat with the boyfriend. And I was able to open my present from him because it was officially my birthday in my part of the world (it was already 2am). He gave me super warm pajamas to help stave off the cold while I shiver in my apartment. And the thing that makes the pajamas even more perfect - they are covered in SNOWFLAKES!

Friday I received cards from my parents, grandparents, the Horos', and Adam. It was such a good feeling being remembered by so many people. And of course with the barrage of facebook wallposts. :) Then on Friday night I was supposed to meet with my friend Marta and her colleagues for tapas and drinks, but the plans got canceled and new and better plans were made. Adam wanted us to spend my actual birthday together, so we hung out on skype! We talked for 5 hours! I didn't go to bed until 5:30am. We played games, watched episodes of TV shows, and just talked and spent time with each other. It was the perfect way to spend my birthday.

On Saturday I went with two of my American friends, Emma and Sarah, to our church for a "Change Your Look" party where we got hair and makeup tips with the rest of the women in our church. Afterward we met up with Sarah's and Emma's husbands, and Kike and Martin for Domino's pizza and dancing at a club!

Needless to say, the weekend wore me out. But the birthday celebrations weren't complete just yet! I walked into my favorite class on Monday (the fourth years), who also threw me a surprise party! They made Spanish food to share with all of us, and also gave me presents! But the thing that touched me the most was the T-shirt they made that said "We Love Rachel", and a video with all of them talking in English to me! It was so sweet.

On Tuesday, a class that I have basically no relationship with because I only have them once a week, burst into a broken rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" and "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" when I walked in. And they too had presents! I don't even know how they knew it was my birthday.

And last but not least, I went for tapas with Marta on Thursday night. I love going out with her. I am so blessed to have made a friend like her here in Spain. She completed the "birthday week" with a new bracelet and scarf, and especially her time (she's always so busy, it's hard to get together sometimes!).

All-in-all it was an incredible birthday. My friends and family back home still kept me in their thoughts, and my friends here helped me to celebrate and keep on celebrating. I'm so thankful for my friends here, and amazed at how each of them tried to make my birthday special and memorable. It is definitely one I will never forget.

Mercedes and Ana and me with the wonderful tortilla