I wish

Posted Monday, July 02, 2007 7:23 PM

Today is my birthday. It isn't one of the major birthdays (if it was I would defiantly have played hooky today), but it is a big deal in its own way. It is the last birthday I will have a single gal. Next year I will have been married for more than eight months when I turn the big 3-0.

Having a summer birthday isn't all its cracked up to me – most years half of my friends were away at camp and I could never bring cookies to school or have my locker decorated like the other kids. Even my half-birthday always fell during winter break.

But this year more than made up for any failings in the past.

I had greetings text messaged to me; I had virtual Hallmark greetings; I had Mickey Mouse send me a greeting; I received wishes from four different radio stations to which I'm a member of (plus a free "Love It" cone at Coldstone); I had posts on MySpace and posts on Facebook; fellow Disneyphiles and brides-to-be wished me a "Happy Birthday"; my coworkers sneakily managed to sign one of those musical cards without me hearing it; my Bobie and best friend called from Chicago; my mother called from her vacation in Israel; and my father, visiting from the Windy City, gave me a birthday hug when I came downstairs today.

But even though all of those were awesome … one of the best greetings was the one I received today at 12:01 a.m. from my fiancé. I was just nodding off when my cell phone rang. Even though I was half-asleep, I was to find the phone and process what he told me: "I love you sweetie – Happy Birthday."

For the last few years, whenever I would blow out my candles (which was very hard because I keep thinking of that home video where the kid spits out the candles on his cake), I would wish for someone in my life (who wasn't a blood relation) to do what Adam did. Last year it came true for the first time when Adam and I went to Disneyland for my birthday (I got the sticker and everything).

Tonight I'll be going out for a birthday dinner with Adam and my family (who came in for my bridal shower – more on that tomorrow). But what do you wish for on the candle of your free dessert when you already have everything you want?

Guess it's just like at the end of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory":
Willy Wonka: But Charlie, don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted.
Charlie Bucket: What happened?
Willy Wonka: He lived happily ever after.

Even Glinda in "Wicked" says that "happy is what happens when all your dreams come true."

I suppose when I blow out the candle this year I'll just have to focus on my back-up wish: meeting Olivia de Havilland. Provided I don't spit on the cake.