I was told {ahem} that we would be going to Summerlicious which I was quite looking forward to! I’m sure you’ve picked up by now that I am a foodie. Despite a crazy list of food allergies that can be rather restrictive, I love exploring new flavours and cooking methods at the hands of a great chef. I am also always nervous to do so at the fear of a “missed ingredient” that causes the old throat to swell, but I knew I had placed my trust in a most thoughtful friend’s hands who would probably be even more thorough than I in asking questions before making the reservation.

As it turns out, I was wrong. Not about the thoughtful part. Not about the thoroughness part. Just about the Summerlicious part.

I was picked up and greeted with a lovely bundle of fresh herbs {a love language of mine} and told to “just trust” her on where we were going for dinner. A delightfully winding drive through the country led us to this charming home where three other friends appeared like nymphs from the garden to a serious show of waterworks {I was a mess!}.

The evening was literally stuffed to bursting with incredibly thoughtful details. {I believe details are a love language, and these friends seriously loved on me with the beautiful details of this evening!} So many things were lovingly handmade: the birthday banner; the mason jar candle holders filled with tea lights and lavender; the gorgeous and lovingly prepared food full of my favourite flavours; the beautiful dessert made “allergy-free” and amazingly delicious {it was FIGGIN good}; the sweet and charmingly hand-stitched tags on our mugs of tea at the end of the meal. No detail was left untouched.

As if I had not cried enough at the surprise of it all, I was overwhelmed by toasts from these four lovely ladies. {Cue waterworks round two!} One toast was even delivered INSIDE a piece of toast. Too perfect.

At this point I’m pretty overwhelmed at the thoughtfulness and detailed love of my sweet friends. My tummy is full and my heart is bursting. I couldn’t imagine anything more overwhelming. Once again, I was wrong.

Remember my post about the Christie Antique Show? Perhaps not, but these four friends remembered. I had gone in search of an antique, pressed glass cake plate which I came to discover was actually from a collection called Fostoria American {circa 1915}. I had given myself a cautious budget of $30 only to discover yet again that my taste and my budget did not match.

Unbeknownst to me, my friends had read that post and began conspiring. With secret meetings in hidden coffee shop locations, they plotted a scheme that involved one of my friends’ sweet old grandmother driving to a country antiques store in Illinois to procure this treasure. Through family visits and with great care, this package made its way North and into the eagerly awaiting hands of my four fabulous friends. I had no idea what I would find when I was presented with this box.

And I was beyond words when I discovered what was inside. {Cue waterworks round three}

There’s something about being known that just can’t be replaced. That feeling that you have been heard, and that the smallest details of your thoughts and what inspires you have not gone overlooked. That is the real gift that I was given for my birthday this year. The gift of knowing I have people in my life who pay attention to the delicate details that are stitched together to make me who I am.

It’s not about a cake plate {though it is so lovely and I’m still utterly amazed!}. It’s about listening and knowing and secret plotting in coffee shops. It’s about hand-stitching “steep love” onto tea bags just because I’ll notice. It’s about the collaborative community it took to create such a lovely evening {complete with hand-drawn notes and concepts}. Overwhelming. Thoughtful. Beautiful. Detailed. Love.

It goes without saying that this is a birthday for the record books. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’m just going to have to celebrate the anniversary of my 29th birthday from here on out {wink}. Can’t imagine anything that will top this one. Love you, ladies. Steeply.

xo
s.