Today is a day to remember for many reasons. It is my birthday, the big 53 this year.Β It is also the birthday of my new suitor from Match.com. While enjoying a yummy lunch with him on our first date at Olive Garden, we talked about birthdays and discovered we share one. How sweet is that?!? He is a wee bit younger than me,, but not so much that it raises eyebrows. π It is also the birthday of my sweet niece.Β So many reasons to celebrate! πππ
I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.
J. B. Priestly
It is also the first day of school for Marta and Mara, my beautiful, brave exchange students. They are so nervous, but I am here for them and am praying for a wonderful first day for them bothβ€ I know they have what it takes to make this an amazing senior year in America!!πΊπΈβ€πΊπΈ
picturingpositive 
Happy birthday to you and your Match, Beth. Your exchange students are lucky to have each other to share in the new school experience. Stay well. Allan
Thank you so much Allan! π I am very glad the girls have each other. I think they will feel so much better once they get through the first day! Have a wonderful day! π
Happy birthday and have a great day. It’s fantastic that you are helping these two students.
Thank you so much, Paul! π My two girls are truly a delight and I’m very happy to be here for them during their exchange year. π. I hope your day is wonderful! π
Happy Birthday. Happy ‘Match’ Day. Have an amazing day.
Thank you so very much!! π β€ π I hope you have an amazing day as well!! π
Thanks. Keep Smiling.
Thanks. Stay Safe.
πHappy Birthday Beth! Love your mega celebratory day π Wishing all of you the best!!
Thank you so very much, Maria! β€ Hope you're having a wonderful day!! π
Happy, happy birthday! So fun you and your new sweetie (younger — yay you!) share the same born day. Wishing you a beautiful day, week, month, and year filled with wonder!β€
Thank you so very much!! β€ It is very fun! I was just (unexpectedly and very pleasantly) surprised with flowers and a balloon at work. He is definitely a sweetie! β€ I hope you have a fabulous day! Thanks, as always, for your kind, positive comment! π
Those girls look so happy ..and Happy Birthday.
Thank you so much! π The girls are loving the American high school experience! πβ€π
Beautiful!
Thank you so much! π It was a wonderful day from start to end! The girls did great on their first day and are enjoying their experience! π
How nice!
Happy Belated Birthday Beth! I am so sorry I missed your special day! I hope all is well with you and that the girls are having a good start to the school year. Hey, nice to hear about a new suitor! π Hope it is all going great with you!
Thank you so much Janie! β€ We had a super busy weekend, so haven't spent much time online. Guess that's a good thing π The new suitor is pretty awesome and is so much more caring and family orientated than the ex, so that alone is a HUGE improvement. We went to the lake with my sister and her family and it turned out to be a chilly, breezy day. He offered both his jacket and hoodie to the shivering exchange students while he had just a t-shirt. The ex would never in a million years have been that kind. Sometimes it is the little things that mean the most β€
This is such lovely news Beth that I wish you could see my smile – a grin from ear to ear – as a kind, caring man is who you deserve! I love that he was nice to the exchange students as well. Chivalry isn’t dead! Keep enjoying every moment of happiness! I’m thrilled for you! β€οΈ
Thank you so very much Janie! β€ He had me at “Here you go girls.” π Honestly, he is not my normal “type”, but I decided that expanding my horizons is a good thing. π I have never dated anyone with facial hair before, and our taste in music is miles apart, but having kindness in common (as well as a birthdayπ) matters more to me than any differences. π
I love that you’ve expanded your comfort zone and can see him for the kind man he is even if he isn’t your ‘normal type’ because who knows where this can lead you! I’m excited to hear all about how this progresses! What a lovely way to start September! π₯°
Thank you so much Janie! π It really is funny how life works sometimes. I have heard and believe it is true to keep in mind the saying This Too Shall Pass. It reminds me that when times are bad, there will be a brighter day and also that when times are good I need to cherish those moments because they will not last forever either. π Thank you for being there to commiserate in the low times and to celebrate the good times! π
I am always here to support you! That’s what friends do Beth! Through the good times and the not so good ones…Keep smiling…Enjoy every precious happy moment!! π