A Birthday to Remember

When I woke up this morning, on my birthday, I was both excited and very sad. This is the first time I've spent my birthday away from home and my loved ones, yet one can't NOT be excited on one's birthday.

I woke up not expecting a huge celebration, or gifts, or anything really. But when I came downstairs, there were a couple "Happy Birthday" banners on the walls. There was a giant balloon tied to my usual chair at the table. Ray and Susan surprised me with a gift; a Willow Tree figurine that is completely appropriate for the situation.

Forget-Me-Not

Andrew and Charlotte got me this book, which is absolutely pointless (obviously) and amazing. I can't wait to use it. 

Then I was gifted with a beautiful necklace with a Blue John stone, which is mined locally in Derbyshire (which is the only place it's found) and looks something like this:  

The most amazing gift, though, was that I finally got to meet the rest of my family. Not all of them, there were a couple who couldn't make it, but most of them. It was absolutely amazing; a bunch of strangers came to celebrate my birthday, and they welcomed me completely. They were so wonderful,  all of them. I realized how lucky I truly am, to come to a foreign country and have people who want to meet me and get to know me. They didn't ask questions or judge me. They were family, right away. 

Back rows: Charlotte, Andrew, Paul, Susan, Ray, Kaan, Maureen, Irving
Kneeling: Tulin, Kaya, Me, Lindsay

And that was the best feeling ever.