I've come to realize that one of the greatest gifts one can have is love. Having people who love and stand by you in all situations is everything one needs to achieve anything in life. I never fully realized this truth until I celebrated my birthday on 26th May, just last month.
I'm happy to share with everyone, a day I will never forget, a day I felt love and care to its peak; it was my birthday and I'm happy to sound it out loud that I'm the happiest person alive since that day, lol. The day was filled with many unforgettable experiences which I will share with everyone.
My birthday was on Monday, 26th May but before that day, I already discussed with my event organizer who advised me to go for a photoshoot on Saturday so my birthday photos would be ready before the D-day. I told him I needed quality photos and he referred me to a “professional” photographer who he told me he often hired for several events. Since he was the organizer, I didn't have much discussion with the guy, all discussions about price, time and event were all done by my organizer who I trusted so much to deliver excellently for me.
So on Saturday, which was 24th May, after doing some cleaning at home, I dressed up and left home straight to the hotel where we had planned to do the photoshoot. On arrival, I saw my organizer but the photographer was yet to arrive. We waited for him for hours and he was nowhere to be found. We called him multiple times and suddenly he phone was on DND. We had planned to start the photoshoot by 1 PM when the sun was still bright enough to give us quality photos but unfortunately the guy arrived by 4 PM in the evening.
My organizer was so mad at him but I didn't want such a minor case to spoil my day so I rather walked the guy out and gave him a listening ear. He explained to me everything that happened, how was sick and boarded a flight out of the state for treatment the day before. So before he was discharged from the hospital, booked a flight and returned to the state, he was already late for the photoshoot. I quickly understood his excuse and welcomed him in to begin the photoshoot even though my organizer wasn't in a good mood.
We had several photos with different poses. While waiting for this photographer, the waiters came to us and we had no choice but to make orders. So I also took pictures with some items I ordered and after that, we moved to the pool side but unluckily for us, the maintenance crew had already drained the pool, so sad.
We had to end the day. It was full of fun as my organizer at the end forgot about all that happened and wore smiles even as we took an uncountable number of photos.
That all happened on a Saturday. On Monday the D-day, I was awoken by unending sounds of notifications from birthday messages from friends and loved ones. As planned already by my organizer, the birthday event wasn't really going to be a loud one, just with friends since I wasn't close to my parents, I was still at school.
The event was held at Chicken Republic Eatery. I invited most of my friends and most of them came.
After we all arrived at the venue, we first reunited for those who haven't seen each other for a long time. After the period of reunion the hungry ones decided to go get something to eat first, I was among them too, lol. After that was the birthday proper. My friends all stood up in a respectful manner and sang a happy birthday song for me, and individually wished me every good thing in life. I was not only happy because they showed up, but they showed up in numbers and surprised me with amazing gifts.
After the birthday song rendition, my friends noticed there was no cake and one of them boldly asked in a joking manner, “Celebrant, are going cakeless today?” I laughed and gently explained to them that the money I had wasn't enough to get a cake. To my greatest surprise, everyone began to contribute money and at the end of the day, they were able to get me a nice cake and guess what name they designed on it, captain. This is my Hive username and that's what my friends call me too.
It was really a day full of fun and love, an unimaginable care and greatest surprises.
After the cake cutting and wine drinking, we began taking individual and collective photos.
The love I got that day was equal to that my parents would have shown me if they were present. Whenever I remember that fun-filled day, it automatically makes me feel like a man with his people's support. We played and laughed, making memories that nothing can erase. It was really the most fun experience I've ever had this year and I can't imagine how my next birthday would be, can't wait till then.
This remains my entry for the #neoxianprompts, writing prompt 30.
Thanks for reading.
Original photos from me