The most beautiful of birthdays.
Written by Annie on July 14th, 2010I’m going to let the pictures do the talking. Because truthfully, I can’t talk about my birthday dinner/party without crying. In fact, I didn’t even make it through the creation of this glorified slideshow without boo-hooing.
Because I am overwhelmed. Still. A week later.
Enjoy the gorgie-poo decor… and the delicious food… and the beautiful hearts of the men who served … and the genuine laughter on the faces of a few girls who really love each other.
The song is Home by the most wonderful Dave Barnes. And when this song drifted from the speakers into my ears during the party, I stopped, listened, and teared up. Because these lyrics say it.
Photography by the dearest Skip Hopkins. He not only captured the beauty, he captured the emotion. That’s a gift.
I’ve tried to write thank you notes, but they fail to tell the depths of my appreciation for what my friends did for me. Even as a writer, the English language is failing me. I just know that my heart was massively moved by this night.
I will never be the same.
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Oh! Crying now. It WAS beautiful. And you look GORGEOUS, Annie, in every way in these pictures. So so glad for you.
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Beautiful , beautiful ! Happy Birthday (belated)
May you continue to embrace the love of the
Father and be the aroma of Christ to everyone
who crosses your pathway!
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You are well-loved, Annie. What a beautiful evening!
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Annie,
What a wonderful way to celebrate your 30th birthday! So glad that God has blessed you with such a wonderful community of friends in Nashville.
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What a beautiful birthday party. What wonderful friends. My eyes teared up watching it. Thanks for sharing, and Happy 30th!
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30 has never looked so beautiful. You look amazing. Love from the Slatens.
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That’s what love looks like, Annie D.
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I’m so glad I know you. And I’m obviously not alone in my sentiment.
You look gorgeous, btw.
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Tears.
You are so blessed to be loved like that!
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wow.
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Beautiful night….no wonder it is in your heart FOREVER! Happy happy day for you!
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Awe Annie!! What a sweet video!! You can see how your friends truly love you!! And I am so blessed to call you a friend! See, 30 is already AWESOME!! Love you!!
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special people often bring out the best in others. they have that way…i can’t explain it. annie, you have a way of making the special more special. it is only fitting that your sweet friends made an amazing night for you. you deserve it.
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wow…beautiful! What a blessing Annie!
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what a fabulous way to celebrate your birthday. i know you know it, but you are so blessed to be surrounded by the friends that did this for you! what a blessing they are and i’m sure you’re the same to them.
thanks for sharing the wonderful memories! you were right…everything was gorgie-poo. i particularly like the gold bottles? and actually drinking out of mason jars? i love it.
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hooray for family and friends.
welcome to the fab 30′s =]
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Happy belated birthday!! Just by reading your blog often I can tell you are an incredible friend and what a special way for your friends to make you feel so special and very much loved!
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You truly are a blessed and fortunate woman. This was so beautiful!
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what a fabulous night! you deserve the very best and I am so glad you felt so loved and celebrated b/c you ARE!!
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Simply beautiful.
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Thank you for sharing your birthday celebration pictures. You are blessed to have so many friends celebrating you!
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Oh, Annie, I want to move to Nashville, too, and be friends with all your friends! What a fabulous celebration! So glad you’ve found the home you never knew you always wanted.
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Happy late birthday, I can’t imagine how loved you felt/feel. (Actually, I wish I could) I like the idea of this…. I also like the idea of men serving
ps- I don’t know who did it, but thank you so much for deleting that 1st comment from this morning.
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Someone told me a long time ago that it was not just luck that brought them friends, it was work, and making an effort to be a friend. You obviously must have put forth the effort. It has come back to you ten fold. Happy Birthday!
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OH Annie! You are such a fortunate person to have such amazing friends. As you know, I cant’ see the pictures, but I don’t need to in order to know how special that night was and how much your friends loved on you. What a great way to spend your 30th birthday! Wish my 30th was that great.
I love that song, by the way! I need to go in search of it on itunes. Thanks so much for sharing. And don’t ever forget how much you are loved by many all over the place!
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Oh, Annie. No words only joyful tears.
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Annie, I thought when I hit 30, it was all over
But I’ve found, just turning 31, it’s really all just beginning 
Happy Birthday- thanks for sharing this beauty- inspires me to love better!
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annie i loved this.
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I love that this was not only a beautiful example of how well your friends love you, but also of how Jesus loves you! So beautiful. Love that by seeing how faithful God is to you in your life I am reminded that He will be faithful in mine too.
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Gorgeous! That was a beautiful song. Now I have to go download all his songs . . .
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boohoo boohoo. that was beautiful! such a special day for a special person. glad you were showered with love!!
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WOW! Happy Birthday Annie. What a blessing you must be to so many. God bless you!
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