40 Candles

I was born on June 8, 1967, so today is my 40th birthday. Everybody keeps asking me how I feel about turning 40. I can't say I'm happy about it, but it sure beats the alternative. After dinner last night Michael took me to the cafe where we had our first date for coffee. As we were chatting, out of the corner of my eye I noticed what looked suspiciously like my D.C. sister-in-law, Jacqueline, and my AZ nephew, AJ, walking across Ninth Avenue. No sooner had I processed this did I see my entire family -- mom Molly, stepdad Gary, brother Terence, sister Jennifer, brother-in-law Anthony and baby niece Ally from Arizona, and brother Bill from D.C. -- in the crosswalk, all here to surprise me for the big 4-0. (It was quite a sight!) As the evening went on and the delicious chocolate cake from Billy's Bakery was being cut, I had an unusual moment of clarity: My boyfriend, Michael, is a sweetheart. I have my dream job. I have a lot of really great friends. And my family loves me enough to do something this crazy and special for me (Molly doesn't "get" New York, so this is HUGE!). Like I said, I'm not happy about turning 40 (hey, who ever is?). But I can't think of a better way to do it than being surrounded by the people I love most.