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It has taken me a while to write this.  I have been mentally composing this for a while.  My first thoughts kept getting interrupted by my mind being boggled by the whole event.  What you all accomplished still stuns me.  What an amazing surprise and outpouring of love.

I am still overwhelmed thinking about my birthday–not because of my age, but because of what Michael was able to make happen with the help of so many people! I wasn’t looking forward to my 40th birthday because I couldn’t imagine a way that I could spend it with my siblings, parents, or distant friends. Because of Michael making everyone aware of my dearest wishes and asking for help, amazing things happened.

I was thrilled, amazed, and touched by the response and outpouring of love and support of so many. I still am. I treasure the time I was able to spend with family and friends. I am so glad that Michael was able to share the fun with anyone who wished by making video feed of the party available on line (even though it didn’t work as well as planned). If you missed it, the recording from it can be found athttp://www.ustream.tv/channel/big4-0 Even friends I haven’t met yet were able to be a part of it all that way.

Thanks to all of you. Thank you for those who played any part in making Michael’s dream happen. Thank you to the hosts and party planners. Thank you to those who helped Michael deal with going a little crazy with the stress of planning. Thank you to all who donated, prayed, encouraged, kept the secrets, took on extra responsibilities, or travelled to be a part of the most unbelievable birthday I have ever had. Thank you to those who helped provide the yummy party food and drinks. Thank you for the generous and thoughtful gifts. Thank you for the amazing notes, cards, and letters. I feel like there is not enough Thank you to say, that I cannot fully express my thoughts and feelings with words. I have been truly blessed by your friendships.

Because of your help, Michael was able to take me and the kids to dinner at a nice restaurant  (I found out later that it was part of his camouflage for his real plan).  I was able to get my hair done before my birthday.  Michael was able to surprise me by arranging for 6 people to travel to Slidell to spend my birthday with me and help them with the expenses as much as they allowed.  He  also got me a ticket to fly to Michigan on my own to spend time with those family members who were not able to make the trip at the time.  And besides that, he was able with your help, to throw me the biggest surprise party I’ve ever had!  Thank you all, so much.

I have also been blessed by God’s gift of marriage to this man who would do all that he did and endure all the stress he took on himself to pull together such an amazing surprise to make me feel so loved and blessed on my birthday.

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