The Monday afternoon slump has hit, so I think it’s time to give you all part two of my birthday recap and remember the fun all over again. Part One included donuts, massages, and champagne (oh, my!). Part Two will include shopping, dining, and cheesecake (oh me, oh my!). Let’s get right to it!

I left you off after my little “affair” with Javier (the stereotypical male masseuse). It was still a bit on the early side for dinner, so I asked Peter if we could stop into Target. The Target close to our house is really random and never has anything that catches my eye, but this one got me. The one thing I wanted to pick up turned into $100 and change worth of purchases. But, I just couldn’t say no…

I bought two dresses like that and three new running shorts because my others have gotten a bit large…and I have a problem. There goes my G-Pa birthday money. You would think I’m not good with my money or something.  

Shopping worked up my appetite enough to head over for dinner after changing into my new dress in the parking lot of Target. Yet again, Peter knows me all too well. A lot of times, I get in moods for things and nothing else will satisfy. So he made sure to go to the one place that no matter what mood struck me, they would have something on the massive book of a menu.

Yep! Another Cheesecake Factory visit just a few short months after we went last for our anniversary. I didn’t mind. Not one bit.

After a decently long wait we both wanted to gnaw our arms off by the time we sat down. I immediately ordered a water and a Blue Moon beer to go with my bread basket. Hey – I was celebrating!  

Then, it took us all of forever to finally decide what we wanted. A lot of times at Cheesecake Factory I like to get a few of their small plates or appetizers to share with my dining partner. That way I can get a taste of a few of the many things that cause me to drool all over the table. Peter and I sometimes have trouble settling on what to share, but we had the same tastes last night for a change. Yes!

We created a tasting spread of the following:

Beets and Goat Cheese Small Salad

Tex-Mex Eggrolls

Two Small Flatbreads (one for each of us)

You can guess my choice, I’m sure. Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese? Get in my belly!

Everything was phenomenal and we hung around for over two hours enjoying the night, our conversation, making goofy faces at each other, and not having to rush back home for kids. We love them so dearly, but I definitely feel the importance in having some time to ourselves as well. Such a pleasurable night!

Oh, wait…it didn’t end there. You know we had to get cheesecake!!

I couldn’t decide which flavor I wanted – Red Velvet Cheesecake or Lemoncello Torte – so we got both. Duh. On your birthday you go big or go home!

We shared the Lemoncello Torte slice after getting home Saturday night and the Red Velvet slice last night. Gotta love a birthday that carries on into the next day with leftovers. Mmm Mmm Mmm. I wish every day could be my birthday!

• Do you prefer your own meal or sharing different things when dining out?

Last week I shared the first part of the One Month to Live book series I picked up recently. The section discussed living passionately and included many great insights. You all seemed to enjoy it, so I decided to continue with part two this week. Let’s talk love!

God’s Love Helps Us Love Others: It takes a huge investment to give ourselves over to other people and care for them. Love carries a price – sacrificing your own desires at times, risking pain or disappointment, facing potential loss, and more. Loving is not easy. We need God’s help to go beyond ourselves and have the commitment to invest in our relationships fully.

We Need Others…But Challenges Will Happen: The most effective way to get through life is with a team of support from loved ones. However, just like sports teams or business teams, our relationships will have occasional conflicts and flare-ups. The most common scenarios include misunderstandings, a “me-first” attitude, and mistakes we all make that need forgiveness. Part of love is accepting others and not trying to change them. We all have qualities and faults that can present a problem or frustration to someone else. Focus on letting God change you instead of you trying to change other people.

Forgive: Without forgiveness we would drown in bitterness. Refusing to forgive others only hurts ourselves because we hold on to resentment and allow those hurting us to continue having the power. It is okay to be angry. It is even okay to be angry with God. However, we must find a way to express that anger in a healthful way so we can move on.

Action Required: Actions speak louder than words. Be sure your actions match up to the love you declare. Also, pay attention to actions that mean something to the other person. What does your spouse or friend really desire? Give what they need…not what you think they need.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude: What prevents us from noticing more of those everyday moments we have to feel thankful for? How often do we forget to thank God for the people in our lives..and to show them our appreciation? A simple thank you goes a long way.

Communicate: We have to communicate to have a relationship. Yet too often in today’s society effective communication gets lost in the hustle and bustle of life. We skimp on relationship time to be more “efficient” in life, but only end up hurting and longing for those connections God wants for us to have. How do we communicate? We listen intently. We share our time. We expose our hearts. We share our needs. We strive to understand. And God is like the satellite in that the more connected you are to Him, the clearer the signal to those with whom you communicate.

Gotta love love. Hope you enjoyed reading this week’s topic. See you in the morning!

• What do you think is the hardest for you to manage in relationships - misunderstandings, a “me-first” attitude, or mistakes needing forgiveness?
• What is the last loving action you showed someone? Keep it clean, people! 😉