Thursday 14 February 2008

a whole lot of love...

I've been wanting to post for a few days now but not manufactured a chance, life, kids, work all conspired against me...

It was my birthday last weekend, I went out with a group of friends for dinner in Soho and had the loveliest evening. I managed to wear the dress, shoes and delightful gewgaws of a couple of posts ago and felt all grown up and glamourous, but that wasn't what made the evening so special. Some old friends flew over from Ireland to celebrate with me, we've all been through our ups and downs together over the years and it meant so much to me to see them gathered there together. Newer friends I have made over the past 12 years in London were there too and as I looked around the room I reflected on how lucky I am. I basked in the smiles, banter and laughter of 20 people who mean so much to me in such different ways and I felt inordinately happy and incredibly lucky. If I could bottle the feeling I had that night (and over the entire weekend in fact) I would keep it on my dressing table and dab it on whenever life feels too grim, whenever I have to get up at 5.30am in winter too many days in a row, whenever the house is a mess and the laundry is not done and the children are cranky, just whenever...and I would soak in that feeling of love and happiness and I would relax and remember what is truly important.

Enough of all that (I seem to be developing a very sentimental streak as I enter my 4th decade) here are some hearts, Happy Valentine's Day!




(I'll be back soon to show off some of the crafting goodies I was lucky enough to receive for my birthday, and my gorgeous valentine swap from Jo in Tas)

9 comments:

Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...

Annie, I've had to delete my last comment because my brain was malfunctioning! But with my brain strapped on this time (yes, it's that precarious an arrangement): Happy Birthday - that sounded like the most fantastic evening. x

Jodie said...

Happy birthday - It would be lovely to bottle that feeling of being loved.
(Thanks for the email)

Lindsay said...

Happy Belated Birthday! How wonderful to gather old and new friends together. Sounds like you had the most wonderful time. I love your idea of being able to dab that feeling on to stave off the grumps!

sewtakeahike said...

Hi Annie, happy late birthday and happy valentines day to you too!

Unknown said...

Those hearts look great, I'm sure jo in tas will be over the moon with hers. Sounds like you had a great night out too - I love soho, but tend to feel a bit old whenever I go out there now!!!

Happy Birthday!!!! (a bit belated)

Jo in TAS said...

Thank-you for my Valentine Swap present, the lavender heart is just beautiful and the sweets are delicious. The buttons, ribbons and fabric will all be put to good use too. Sounds as if we could all do with a bottle of love on our dressers!
Love and Kisses from way down under

JuanitaTortilla said...

That's just so sweet; it's heartwarming to hear such a memorable birthday gathering -- people who are there to 'celebrate You'.

And I am happy to be part of your birthday celebration, in that small, indirect way :)

Those hearts are lovely, by the way.

Lynette Anderson said...

The valentine hearts are gorgeous. I am so glad that you had such a special birthday, its always good to be able to share them with a group of friends.
Happy belated birthday