F is for Fantastic

This weekend the wonderful fit, fabulous, furry, funny, family man Mr. Fantastic turned....... you guessed it, FORTY!

I wanted to throw him a party - I wanted this to be special, he was turning 40 isn't that a big deal? We have been to a million  40th birthday parties from Over the top to a drink (or 20) at a local hangout. About a month before his birthday, I was told that under no circumstances was there to be a party for him..... "I just want it to be you and the kids, K."

What??!! This is a huge day, this is to be celebrated with our family and 500 of our closest friends, right?!  The week up until his birthday I was supremely stressed - I mean, umm... hormonally imbalanced. I cried twice over the "we are doing NOTHING for your birthday" speech given at dinner time. Each time Mr. Fantastic would say to me - you just don't get it, I want to be with you and the kids"

For all the tears and stress his birthday was, well ordinary. We had soccer at 9:30, baseball practice from 2 to 4 and at 5:00 a few friends came to Chez Fantastic for dinner and cake. Mr. Fantastic loved his gifts (even got a little emotional) and we went to bed. I was still unconvinced - it was for sure a regular Saturday, one we have had many, many times in the past.....

Sunday morning I was in Church and to my surprise my childhood priest (who is also a close family friend) was helping out. When I went up for communion, Father Neilson said my name like he did when I was young. When the priest you grow up with (who marries you and baptizes your babies) retires, it takes some getting used to. I miss him, I miss his voice every Sunday, I miss how much he knew me and my family. I enjoy our Priest now - but at times I long for what I am used to. When there is so much change happening around me I like to know that every Sunday church will be the same, every week - I know when to sit, stand, kneel, etc..... I love THE SAME. And then it hits me! On my way back to my pew I was overwhelmed (when will the hormone imbalance leave me!) All I could think of was, I get it, Mac!!! You wanted..... THE SAME - and in my opinion when THE SAME is our life.... your birthday was the most fantastic celebration ever!