Yesterday was a long but fun day because I attended one of my close friend's birthday celebration. It felt a little funny because my last blog was also about another friend’s birthday where I was part of her 18 treasures. This time I was part of the 18 candles, which made the experience very different yet similar.
The theme of my friend’s birthday was pink, so everything felt soft and dreamy. For the past few days I was a bit busy trying to prepare my outfit and I kept checking if everything was ready. I even forgot about the gift I was supposed to bring, so I bought her present at the last minute. I ended up choosing make up because she really likes doing her make up and I knew she would enjoy it.
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When we arrived at the venue, someone handed us candles tied with a cute pink bow. It matched the whole theme and made all of us look connected. While waiting for the event to start, I met the nephew of my friend. She was very talkative and friendly, so we spent a lot of time chatting. It surprised me how easy it was to talk to her. She made the waiting time feel shorter and I did not feel awkward at all.
When the program finally started, I wasn't nervous anymore unlike the last time I had to speak at an event. I think I got used to standing in front of people. I just made myself comfortable and focused on enjoying the moment. Each person who was part of the 18 candles shared something meaningful. I also shared my short message for the birthday girl and I felt happy seeing her smile while listening to everyone.
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After the program, we took a lot of photos. It felt nice to be with my friends again because we have not seen one another for a while due to the recent earthquake. We missed hanging out, so the moment we gathered around, we talked about everything that happened during the past weeks. It felt good to hear their stories and to laugh with them again. It was like we picked up right where we left off.
When it was time to eat, the conversations continued. It really felt like a never ending set of topics. We talked about school, random events, the things that stressed us out, and even small things that did not matter that much but were still fun to talk about. Somehow the simple act of eating together made the night even more relaxing. The food was good and the company made it better.
As the night went on, I realized how much I missed moments like this. Life gets so busy sometimes that I forget how nice it is to be surrounded by people who make me feel comfortable. Even though I was tired from the past days, it was worth it because I enjoyed the celebration. The birthday girl looked very happy and seeing her enjoy her day made everything feel special.
The day was tiring but in a good way. I felt light and happy when I got home. I am glad I was part of her 18 candles and I hope she remembers that we were all there to support her. It was a nice day and I am grateful I got to share it with friends who feel like family.