Photo Journal: His 33rd Birthday

About a week before he turned 33, I planned on taking him to a concert that I knew he was going to enjoy. I told him that the evening will be a surprise. But first I took him out to dinner.

Dinner was at Bombasha Brazilian Steakhouse in Nashville's Hillsboro Village. It is probably the only authentic churrascaria in town. I call it a lazy man's buffet because the unlimited cuts of grilled meat are brought to the table instead of getting up and getting more food.

While I enjoy a great meat-filled dinner, I knew I couldn't take in all that was being brought to the table. It's all right though. Robert had the best meal and it was so totally worth it!

The surprise of the evening was taking him to see Boyz II Men perform with the Nashville Symphony in downtown. He did not know until we parked by Schermerhorn Symphony Center and saw the tickets. I was not allowed to take pictures during the performance so this is the only photo we got.

I wish I took pictures of his reaction to the surprise. It was priceless!

A week later

Robert recently saw a movie called Father of Lights not too long ago and wanted every one from the youth group to see it. He invited RUSH Franklin's parents and students to watch it on the weekend before his birthday.

They used it as an opportunity to use that evening to celebrate his special day. Robert and I were so moved by the kindness and generous ways these people did to make it special. The love they poured on him that night is something I will never forget and will forever be grateful for.

I knew Robert was working on this actual birthday (September 25th) so I made plans to take him out to another filling meal on the 24th. Another bonus: our good friend Liz is in town for a visit!

I've always wanted to visit Monell's -- a legendary family-style southern dining experience in Nashville. I knew a people person like my husband will love the fact that he will be seated in a long dining table with strangers and break bread with them.

The servings were generous (read: unlimited!). On the menu that day: chicken and dumplings, meat loaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn pudding. And the best fried chicken I've had since moving to Nashville.

That evening, I gathered all presents and cards. given by me, family, and all his other friends. I wanted him to feel like it's Christmas! One of his strongest love languages is gifts. It was a great opportunity to make him feel loved.

He loved, loved, loved the headphones given to him by my Dad.

The following morning (his actual birthday) I made him a birthday breakfast waffle. I wanted a good start to what we expected was going to be a busy work day.

He went to the office, was in meetings all morning. I asked him to come home quickly for lunch because I made his favorite Filipino dish: beef sinigang (beef ribs in sour soup).

That evening, we attended a fundraiser of Ten Days Missions -- an organization close to our hearts and helped bring us to our missions trip to Baja, Mexico.

We decided to celebrate the last couple of hours of his birthday in Applebee's. It was the only restaurant in our area that was open late at night.

Yes, he got the birthday song!

And then he found out that the guy sitting next to our table is his birthday too so he got up and sang for him!

I feel very blessed to see you so happy your 33rd birthday. The day you were born will always be the biggest deal because your life has changed me and continues to bring joy to mine every single day.

Thank you to everyone who made his birthday special!