Last Birthday on Single Status

So last September 12, I turned 24. This age is not usually a milestone age for most people, but this pitstop for me, is kinda special because it is considered my final birthday as a "single lady." At first, even I can't believe that I will be a missus on my next birthday. Time does fly so fast. Anyway, this birthday was different from the rest, because usually my birthdays are quiet and celebrations are in the form of a simple dinner with the family in any of my favorite restos (I always prefer it that way), or a sleepover with my girlfriends (with soft tacos, cake and ice cream); I always try to cook for my guests. This year, since, its my last single birthday, we all made a conscious effort to take the bash a notch higher.

I thought it would be great to welcome my birthday by party-ing (I'm using the word party as a verb, what the heck) the night away with my homegirls. You know, "Get down and go out and just lose it all" as expressed in Black Eyed Peas' new single. Since next year, I will be responsible to someone, for someone and that someone will responsible for me. It was my last chance to be as carefree as I wanted on my birthday. The idea pleased my party-loving brothers and suggested that I throw some sort of celebration on a club, with more friends than usual. But I still didn't wanna let go of a traditional birthday dinner with my family, since they are really the ones I'd like to spend my birthday with. So it was decided that the "night-out" would happen the night before my birthday, to welcome my special day with a bang.

Meanwhile, since it will be my last birthday living with my family, my mom has decided to skip the usual intimate dinner and throw me a simple birthday party at home, inviting our relatives and close friends. I let her plan everything this time because despite the fact that we're having the party catered and with more guests than last year, it was a lot cheaper than my "simple" dinner celebration during my 23rd birthday in my favorite restaurant of all time (hey, I have expensive taste). And you know, its like a mom preparing for her kid's seventh birthday party... just this time, I'm turning 24 but it'll be her last time to throw me a birthday bash. So everything was set.

One of the reasons that I don't "celebrate" my birthday with all my friends is that, admittedly, I am not keen on blowing off that big amount of cash for just one day. I initially planned on just taking the girls out (because obviously, we don't drink that much) on a night at the club, but the guest list got bigger than I thought ( I only invited my closest friends through Facebook). Thankfully, I worked hard for that week (plus somebody gave me a really great birthday gift - cash) so I was able to get us a table in the VIP section. It was an awesome night. It was my first time though to be spending that big amount for a night out so I got kinda paranoid about it. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it; danced the night away with girlfriends (high school and yfc barkada), reunited with a good friend, and basically watched my friends have a good time. I loved the fact that people close to me were there, all dressed up and game (even though it seemed like a really busy workday for all of us) just to welcome my birthday with me. There were instances in the night though that I longed of just chilling at home and chatting with my Babe. I then realized, that I really was not cut out for the "party every night" (or even every weekend) lifestyle. And it was great that I realized that on my birthday. It meant that I was ready to leave that phase of me behind, and move on to quieter birthdays at home with Babe.

During the night though, I loved seeing my bestfriend with her boyfriend. While I have been with the love of my life for almost five years now, it kinda took forever for Kups to find the man for her. I'm just happy that I'm leaving single country behind with Kups in good hands with her Wab. We are so over the night-out-to-meet-boys stage. I'm glad that although she's not on board the getting hitched route yet, she's getting there sooner, and with a suitable partner who seem really really in love with her. :) It made me really proud and contented to just sit there with them and bask in their kilig powers.

The night went well, and I did not go over the budget ;) thanks to my brothers who really looked out for me and put my best interests at heart. They made sure our budget was doing okay and that my friends were entertained with drinks in tow. I worried less around them.

I officially started my birthday though, by working. I literally breezed through it though, because although I just had a few drinks the night before, I still felt "hungover" because of lack of sleep. The photo shoot was great though, it was swift and I met another rich, old couple who seemed still very much in love with each other. The man was the President and CEO of one of the largest companies in the country, and the woman was also a business woman cum socialite. But in their lovely roofdeck condominium, they were just husband and wife, enjoying the rest of their years together. While the photographer we hired was taking pictures of them, I daydreamed that some years from now, Babe and I would reach that same level of stability (financially) and we'd still be so in love and we would still, unapologetically, call each other with our pet names around other people. I am amazed when I see couples like that. I had some weird notion that rich people marry other rich people for money or fame or position. But such was not the case for this couple, and it was so great to witness that on my birthday ;) True love is the joy of life.

When I got home, I was so tired I practically slept the whole afternoon.

When I woke up, I went to mass in the evening and then followed the dinner party at home. I had fewer guests than expected, just my closest relatives, but it was all good. I loved the fact that we had plenty of leftovers (takaw talaga eh) even after my mom distributed her goody bags (pabalot) to our visitors. Needless to say, I loved the food. I also had a great time with some of my guests. Some of them didn't make it, but it was fine. The night ended with me sleeping in my parent's room. Wearing Babe's benchwarmer jersey. It was exactly how I wanted my 24th birthday to end. I had no complaints.

Trying to sum it all up, I am happy with how my "last single birthday" turned out. It made me realize, that amidst fears or "unfinished" business or dreams that have not yet come true on my last birthday as a bachelorette, I am so ready for the M word. Throughout my birthday celebrations, I marvelled at the power of love through great couples - my bestfriend and her boyfriend, the rich couple in the photo shoot, my parents, and did I mention that two days before my birthday, I saw two of my favorite young married couples in the world (my photographers for our wedding, Jeff and Lisa, and my dear Auntie Cha and her husband Papa James who are expecting a baby girl)? As I approach the last few months of my singlehood, I stay positive and giddy about getting hitched. Everyday, people bombard me with how difficult the next phase is gonna be. And at times I really get paranoid about it. But I know love. I see it all the time. I believe in it. And it is the core of my very existence. So why should I be afraid? If anything, I'm super excited for my next birthday. I'm so looking forward to it - to be 25 and to spend the rest of my existence with the love of my life ;)