I’ve created videos like these for other people over the years — I was one of those wiz kids that knew how to edit video on her Mac. So everyone came to me when they wanted to create a gift.
And when I did my own for my friends, I was always thrilled at the reactions.
But I never received one myself — until this year. And to coin a phrase, I never knew it could be like this. The overwhelming sense of love and emotion I felt while watching mine was unexpected and wonderful!
To begin with, it was my 30th birthday. Secondly, it was during the super fun time we all call 2020, otherwise known as the year we all quarantined, stayed inside and didn’t see each other, including our families. Third, and most importantly (just kidding), it was on a SATURDAY! Saturday birthdays don’t roll around every year! It all felt like a big waste, and to be honest, I was bummed. I couldn’t see my friends or family, couldn’t see a movie, go to a bar, or do anything to celebrate this big milestone birthday of mine. The only thing we could do was go for a drive.
So, we went for a drive. My partner brought me to the front of my parents’ house to say a quick socially-distanced birthday hello, and what I found waiting was so heartwarming, I don’t even have the words (a rarity for me — I’ll try to find them).
My brother and my dad had set up a projector by the garage so they could watch a video with me.
My mum and my lovely partner had reached out to all of my nearest and dearest, asking them to share a video message. And — can you believe it — my MOTHER was able to assemble and edit the whole thing! She included videos, childhood photos, and songs that they knew I loved. She edited, added GIFs (totally cool, by the way) — it was amazing!
I felt shocked, and then surprised at all the people they had gotten to contribute.
What a night! I was able to be with the people I love, safely and at a distance, on an important day. And those that couldn't be there were right there in front of me on the projector.
And then all of a sudden I was a puddle of mush at all the kind words my friends and family had to say about me in this milestone birthday video. With the amount of love I felt pouring out of the screen, touched doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. In fact, here is a video my dad took of me 10 minutes after I had watched my birthday video. I'm so glad you can't see the pile of mush I was in the previous 10 minutes 😀
Embarrassing, right? All I know is, watching this video made me feel so deeply loved and cared for. I can’t wait to keep making these for my friends. Seeing their faces light up and remembering how great I felt when I got mine will really the gift that keeps on giving.
