Whoever did say that Life begins at 40 must have began her 40th with much excitement and anticipation of things to come.
But here’s one trivia: This phrase first specifically referred to women. It started with Mrs. Theodore Parsons’ view that women should give more attention to their diet and exercise especially when they reach the age of 30 because “death begins at thirty, that is, deterioration of the muscle cells sets in”. With this consciousness, women should live a more healthy and physically-conscious life. When this is done, then the best part of a woman’s life begins at 40!
So, hurray to 40! August is my birth month and I just began my (mid)life!
And what a beginning it was!
It was a month-long celebration insofar as birthday greetings kept on coming. I started with the celebration in Iloilo courtesy of my parents (like a real firstborn having her 1st birthday?, hehehe), a family dinner in Manila with my husband’s family, an impromptu kiddie party with my family’s cell group at church in Yoido English Ministry, a home-cooked dinner with a few friends at home in Seoul with my personal hubbydoo chef, a lunch treat and a trip to a pottery shop with girlfriends at Itaewon and the highlight surprise birthday party prepared by my precious friends. It was amazing and it was overwhelming. I never would have believed that life could excitingly begin at 40. But it did for me… and here is my photo story:

My parents must have found a good reason to celebrate my 40th. They offered to pay for my small party with family and friends. Come to think of it, I haven’t celebrated my birthday in Iloilo since I got married. And I had been married for 10 years already.

My eldest son could choose the most interesting time to give his wacky face a go, so there he is up in that photo doing what he does best… wacky!
When we came back here in Korea, my actual birthday was on a Sunday. A sweet member of our family cell group brought a “Happy Birthday” banner and we turned our small room after the church service into an impromptu children’s party. Far from my “Of Laces and Pearls and Dainty Blooms” desired 40th birthday theme, hahaha! What with all our kids around. But it was a heartwarming gesture.
We hurried back home after cell group but my visibly tired husband cooked dinner for me and my friends. He kept on provoking me why only 4 friends are coming to our house for dinner. Little did I know what was to come the week after…
My other girlfriends treated me and another friend for a birthday lunch and… a trip to Eden’s Pottery at Itaewon.
Precious Eden Pottery, at last!

Eden Pottery is located along the main road of Itaewon beside the ABC Mart. Eden herself is at her store daily and with all our birthday gifts purchased from her, she should give us mileage card. Hmmm!
And the party that I was so clueless of!

My friends asked my husband to:
1) make sure that he wouldn’t have a business trip on the day of their surprise birthday party for me
2) I will wear red on the day of the party (they instructed him to make me get a cocktail dress – trust me to end up with a skirt and a blouse, instead!)
3) Make sure that the party remains a secret – so, my husband built up that day to be his company’s family get-together
As an unquestioning wife, I just followed everything he said and never doubted. And because I was a clueless friend and an unquestioning wife, I had one of the best moments of my life that afternoon of dainty blooms. These are the ladies who had a good laugh for successfully pulling it off.

I was at a loss for words and really, all I could utter was a repetition of “thank you’s”. For what else can I say? I loved every detail. I loved the secrecy. I loved the effort. And I loved the love that went with every piece of preparation. It was humbling and I did say that I just wanted to be nice and kind to everyone from that day on.
And these are my precious boy lets: one is charming and sweet and the other is shy and loving.

And the bigger boy?
I am loved by him who makes me laugh. And I love him more! Most of the time, that’s all it takes to look beyond imperfections and focus on things I should be grateful for.

Life begins at forty. Mine started with a series of bangs!
And it feels awesome!

Wow, you got pretty spoiled for your birthday this year! Happy Birthday, I hope that this year is amazing for you! 🙂 xxx
Nicole Louise recently posted..Kerala, Karnataka and Goa: My 1 Month Itinerary
Oh my! I wish I’m 40 every birthday!
Happy Birthday! You look absolutely lovely in red, you have awesome friends & family to make your 40th-year spectacular! I hope you can get that mileage card from Eden 🙂
Awesome friends, I super agree!
Congratulations.
Sounds like they pulled off a great surprise party for you! Awesome.
They also have that other saying too.. 40’s are the new 30’s or something like that hahaha.
Cool. And welcome back to Korea!
Don recently posted..Creative Portraits with Allan Malolos Castro
Thanks! Yey to 40!
WOW. First of all, happy birthday! It seemed like you had a magical day celebrating…sometimes it’s amazing what our loved ones will do for us. Surprise parties are always fun…enjoy the start of your new life 🙂
Hahahaha… it does seem like a new beginning?:-)
Happy Happy Birthday! So glad you were treated so well on your birthday ^^ Looks like you had a fantastic time – and I LOVE your surprise party outfit!
Thanks, Lindsay! I love that skirt, especially hahaha.
This absolutely beautiful! You look stunning, that cake looks gorgeous and delicious, and everyone looks so happy 🙂 Happy Birthday, and I’m glad you started of 40 with a bang!
Samantha | There She Goes Again recently posted..The Chillhouse in Bali: A True Retreat
Thanks, Samantha! I didn’t expect it to be this special:-)
Happy birthday! You have very sweet husband and friends to throw you a surprise party. I wish you all the best.
Emre recently posted..Kangfull Comics Street
I know right? So sweet!
Whoa that was a scary first paragraph to read as a 29 year old. Happy birthday! Looks like you got to spend it with lots of loved ones!
hahaha,,, i know what you mean. 40 seems so old for a 29 year old.
Thanks, Shirgie! Unbelievable to have that 1 month of celebs.
Happy happy birthday Ms Wendy…wow, you really had a blast with those series of celebrations. You just had a one month long celebration of your 40th and I am sure that’s worth remembering for. Your husband is so sweet and your boylets too. You are so blessed to have a very charming and loving family.
Happy 40th Wendy! You don’t look a day over 30! What a wonderful party and I absolutely loved your red/white/flowered outfit – you were the Belle of the Ball!
Alla Ponomareva recently posted..16 Mile Brewing Company
Thanks, Alla. That skirt did turn out well:-)
Happy birthday, Wendy! I hope you’ve enjoyed your birthday.
The photos look awesome 🙂
Thanks, Hanani. I did enjoy each celebration:-).