I’m getting better about my birthday. I used to promote its arrival ad nauseam. And in addition to that annoying habit, I created in my mind a level of expectation for birthday bliss that could never be reached. What was I looking for, exactly? I don’t know. And that was probably part of the problem. How can you please someone who doesn’t even know what they want?
And then there’s the whole issue of the co-birthday in our house. Sharing a birthday with Ryan started out as kind of a cute coincidence, but quickly got old. No more having a day all to yourself. The shared birthday is a challenge because we’re always trying to come up with a birthday activity that pleases us equally. Without fail, every year one of us will suggest that we go bowling. I don’t know why. Neither of us is a bowling enthusiast. Maybe it’s because we have equal feelings about bowling—completely neutral. We neither love it nor hate it.
I used to get pouty and whiny about all of this birthday stuff, but I’m learning with every passing year that birthdays are just not that big of a deal. (Can you hear the collective sigh of all of my friends and family?) Which is why, on Sunday night (Birthday Eve), when we were ricocheting around the house wondering how we might celebrate our birthday, I was only mildly bothered that we were on the brink of yet another indecisive celebration.
Enter surprise number one. Ryan passed my cell phone charging on the counter and noticed that I had a message. He brought the phone to me and told me that Alyssa had called and wanted me to call her back. I called her cell phone and she answered right away.
“Hey! Happy Birthday Eve!” she said.
“Thank you!”
“What are you doing tonight?” she asked.
“Why? ARE YOU IN TOWN?”
“I am! I got in Friday night.”
“SHUT UP!” (Which is the street way of saying, “Are you serious?!”)
A couple hours later, my friend from 57th Street was at my doorstep with a birthday gift—a darling tote and a chocolate bar from a swanky shop we visited on my trip in December. But my best gift wasn’t in the box. I asked her if she’d teach me once again (in my own kitchen this time) how to make her masterful gourmet Red Velvet Cupcakes. She agreed and we spent the next several hours baking, talking, laughing, frosting, eating, and talking some more.
Talk about a wonderful surprise!
The second surprise came Monday morning. After sleeping in and getting a bit of work done in the morning, Ryan’s phone rang. It was his season ticket agent from the Jazz. She calls from time to time to offer him lower bowl seats and other random perks. But this time she was calling to ask how his basketball skills are, because she wanted to invite him to participate in the Skills Challenge during one of the time outs at the Jazz game Tuesday night.
Ryan said he’d do it and after he got off the phone, he came into the bathroom where I was getting ready for the birthday festivities.
“Geez, I’m in a mess,” he said with the biggest grin.
The rest of the day was spent calling all his siblings and some of mine to let them know, securing tickets for those of us who wanted to be in attendance, talking about how best to handle the pressure, and (of course) some serious physical training over at the church gym. I did not attend the training session. Christian and Mr. Smith took charge and ran him through a rigorous practice.
James had a few pointers for him, including wearing a Jazz speedo underneath a break-away warm up suit to be revealed when he entered the court. He also suggested that Ryan do some showboat moves, such as leaving his arm suspended in the air after shooting and then backpedaling around the court. There was also a recommendation to rip off his shirt (if he chose to wear one) and throw it into the crowd if he won. Actually, I think that recommendation came from me.
We had a great time planning all the possible ways to perform the Skills Challenge, but Ryan eventually decided to play it safe. Here he is, starring in Birthday Surprise II, just a few hours ago. (He’s the one who starts on the bottom left side of the screen. Forgive the crappy camera work.)
Yep, he won! His prize was a $100 gift certificate to a local sports store. And, yep, that’s me screaming, “Woooo! That’s my husband!” to all the people around me. Which is the exact same thing I did after his job talks in Delaware and California.
You know those people who say that whatever you’re doing on your birthday will predict the year to come? (OK, nevermind that nobody says that about birthdays.) Well, if the last few days are any indication, this is going to be a year of unexpected moments of pure delight.
Happy birthday to him and to me. Thanks to our family and friends (especially Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Alyssa) for spending time with us in person or by phone. And thanks, once again, to all of you for your birthday well-wishing! Here’s to another great year.
What a totally awesome birthday! (And PS, I love your outfit! You *must* tell me where you got it.)
how much do i love that?! awesome. happy belated birthday! i have to say, you don’t look like you’ve eaten a cupcake in your life, you skinny minnie!
Uncle Ryan, how did you DO that???
Aunt Tiff, HOW did you make those cupcakes??
Sounds like a great birthday! And those cuppies look fantastic. I think I gained 5 pounds just by looking at them!
I hope the year brings you lots of great surprises
What a fun way to start this year of your life. It makes me feel like I need a surprise- they’re so lovely, but I guess I can’t plan it or it wouldn’t be a surprise.
What an incredibly fun birthday! You both deserve it and I’m sure it’s a sign of more fun things to come.
phew, good thing I decided to take a shower before I dropped by since I ended up on the blog! I am so glad you enjoyed my little surprise – I had a great time and I REALLY wish I could have stayed one more day to see Ryan in all his glory (and to witness that game in person)! And seriously, please ask Ryan to use his new-found fame to hook me up with Kyle Korver . . . I’ll make more cupcakes!
Ok, I was just stopping by to say…”Pardon the Birdthday interruption—but did your husband by chance rip it up on the court during the Nationwide Skills Challenge at the Jazz game last night?” Turns out he did!
We were sitting on like the 3rd row and I kept thinking “How do I know that guy?” Then it immediately clicked that he was your husband—or I had a seriously mistaken case of bloggers husbands identity. He’s got mad skillz!!!
BTW, I promise I’m not creepy. At least not in the blog-stalker kind of way.
Oh yea, and Hap-hap-happiest of Birthdays to you!
Shut Up!! (my way of saying I am so jealous)
How fun to have Alyssa come and make red velvet cupcakes for y’all.
Looks like a HAPPY birthday weekend!
Oh, does it get much better than that?!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both of you!! Sounds like your family is off to a very auspicious start this year… I hope your year is packed with many more *good* surprises and lots of laughter. xox
Happy, happy late birthday to both of you. I am so glad that you had such a wonderful day. You both deserve it.
I do believe that you have taught all of us that the unselfish will inherit 100 dollars through their spouse.
and red velvet cupcakes.
what a good sport you are.
Wow! What a birthday!
Hope you got our message. I don’t know what comes over the children when we ask them to sing happy birthday over the phone but it turns into some weird blend of opera, rap, and the cha-cha. Hope it was somewhat recognizable as a birthday wish.
Emily, my outfit (sweater, tank, and tee) came from a very exclusive local boutique called Old Navy.
Too bad you don’t live here!
Happy Belated Birthday to you(s)! Here’s to another fabulous year.
I can’t believe he made the shot and they only offered up $100. I mean, $100 is still great, but he at least deserved $150, right
p.s. Where do I get the red velvet recipe?
Happy Birthday!
Sorry it’s a little late. I have to say, Tiff, that you are one of my favorite people ever, and I’m very glad you were born:)! Hooray for great birthday surprises.
Angie
I’m glad you two had such a memorable birthday, but it’s time to get serious. As Ryan’s trainer/agent, I have to insist you remove this video from your site. It is evident the extreme popularity, and the traffic it is receiving, may hurt my client’s chances of showing the NBA his true abilities. I’m in talks with Martin Scorsese’s people to produce a video resume highlighting Mr. Beveridge’s skillz, and working with the NBA to establish an auction where my client will be signed by the highest bidder. Keeping with industry standards, my agency fee will be 10% of the gross contract offer.
Thank You.
How fun!! It’s the law of attraction at work. You two are so fun, you are bound to attract fun times, visits, and surprises! Congrats, Ryan! Wish we could have been courtside for your victory. Christian has a lot to live up to now.
Wow. I’m hoping that my 30th year proves to be as exciting. Happy birthday yesterday. I’m truly impressed by Ryan’s skills. I think he needs more than $100.
Those cupcakes look divine! And how fun to be surprised by a good friend. Happy Birthday!
Whoa–no way! My family was there last night (except me). Now I really wish I would’ve been there. He sounds like he’s got some serious skillz!
Happy Birthday. Randy and I are way jealous that you got to go to that game. I love that you screamed “That’s my husband”. You should be so proud!!!!
One time we went to a Peter Breinholt concert that we had submitted a Christmas picture for a slide show he was doing. During the song our picture shows up on the screen. My husband yells, “YA!! THAT IS ME!!!” Mind you it was a subdued part of the concert and probably not appropriate. I tried to scoot as far down into the seat as I could, hoping that people would not recognize me as his wife from the picture.
Yelling and screaming at a Jazz game it much more fun than yelling and screaming at a Spiritual Christmas concert.
What, what a great birthday! okay, three things
1- that first paragraph minus the first sentence is ME!!!
2- Needing the recipe for the cupcakes, will you email it,
and
c- you are right, it’ll be a great year for you and your family! You’ve got such a great attitude!
those cupcakes are awesome. and red. wow, are they red.
happy birthday.
Sorry for the belated b-day wishes: Happy birthday! And what a birthday! So fun.
Those are some FANTASTIC birthday surprises! You deserve ‘em!
That is amazing! You all deserve every birthday pleasantry (I know, that may not be a word, and if it is, I sure didn’t spell it right. It just sounds good here!) you get!!! Happy Birthday month…enjoy it another week or so!
Happy Birthday(S) Geesh you guys know how to have fun! You deserve it!
Tiffany! I forgot you have the same birthday as Garrett! Hope it was a good one. You have such a cute family! Your son Christian looks so much like a Crowley! It was great to get a message from you on our blog. I feel like it’s been years! Now that I know this is your blog I will check it more often! I saw your parents at Hayley Ferre’s wedding recently (can she really have just gotten married?!?!) and you look so much like your mom! Hope you’re doing well and maybe we’ll hear from you again soon! Jen (Yates)