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The Best Surprise Birthday Party | Drexelle’s 30th

September 19, 2014 by D. Park Photography Leave a Comment

So David and I got booked for separate weddings in separate states on my 30th birthday.

I was letting myself mope around about how I would be without my boys when I turn the big 3-0.

When I finally got the courage to tell David about how I felt, he was adamant to try to cheer me up and ask me what I’d want to do for my birthday – that we could do something fun when I come back.

I threw out a bunch of ideas – romantic date night (we’ve gone on a handful since Knightly was born), dancing (David’s biggest fear – we hadn’t done this since our wedding), a small get together with friends, something with chocolate, something with good food, a nice card when I leave for my trip so I could read it when I’m alone…  But I honestly didn’t expect much of it to stick.

As we got to the week before my birthday trip away, David said that he arranged for babysitting and that we’d go on a date night on Saturday.  I was super excited to dress up and be with my man.

…But boy I had no idea what was in store.

the surprises

I woke up Saturday morning and David said, “Hey, let’s go start the day celebrating and eat at Original Pancake House” (our family tradition on special occasions).

As we picked up the food, he kept on driving.

…and driving.

What the heck was going on?  I ask myself.

An hour drive later as I blissfully devour the food but nervously wonder where we’re heading, I see my siblings pull up as we park the car.

Then, my sister pulls out her phone:

I have ALWAYS wanted to zipline…but it’s always terrified me.

I’ve had a lifetime fear of heights – and ridiculous speeds – let alone being dangled on a wire at high heights and ridiculous speeds.

But because I had developed and been battling a panic disorder since December last year, I had been fighting to face my life’s fears.

So, in reality, this was the perfect way to celebrate turning 30 – facing a fear I’ve always wanted to face.

So here we were:

30th bday party ideas

Don’t let the smile fool you.  I’m crying inside.

turning 30

The instructors were kind enough to pick up on my fear and help out any way they can.

In fact, right before I ran for my first zipline, I asked, “Is it safe?!”

Instructor: “Yup!”

As I jump off, the instructor yells “No, actually, WAIT!!!”

IT WAS SUCH A RUSH!  I LOOOVED it <3

ideas for turning 30

We started on the original course and I even signed up after to do the Extreme Race with David.

David was kind enough to watch the baby while I went on 6 courses.

But even though this was David’s 1st zipline, he still beat me.

orange county los angeles riverside ziplining

Whatever.

I was just so happy to have a great morning spending time beating fears and having fun with my family.


our romantic date night

After dropping off our little Knightly, I was excited to doll myself up and have a romantic evening with my man.

I was getting hints that this was potentially a last minute plan.  So I tried to just ignore the “well, I told him months ago I wanted to do something and only now he plans it?!” feeling.

But I figured, oh well, at least we get to go out.

We had gone on a swim just before, so I was starting to get hangry hungry.

SUPER excited though to find out we’d be eating at one of my favorites – our favorite Japanese sushi spot: Ohshima Japanese Cuisine.

My favorite sushi ever right now – Cherry Salmon

best-orange-county-sushi-restaurant

Delicious sea urchin

orange-county-sushi-restaurant

And surprisingly yummy Prawns

best-oc-prawn-sushi

Technically, eating crustacean with its legs still on it would be me overcoming an old fear also.

best-japanese-restaurant-oc

Surprise birthday dessert from the restaurant!  Always love these <3

best-japanese

Afterwards, David asked if I wanted to go get some more dessert.

He knows me too well because YES I would.

As he brainstormed, he said he found a new crepe place in Costa Mesa that’s got great reviews.

So I say, “Ok, sure.”


the twist

When we drove into the plaza, I saw that almost all the storefronts were closed.  I was surprised anything would be open.

We got out of the car and walked down and David said, “Oh, there it is!”

I couldn’t see it.  He kept making me walk forward but I didn’t see anything open or lights on.

Then, he stepped to the side, pointed to a completely dark office space and said, “Oh here it is!”

And then:

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30th birthday ideas photographs

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30th birthday party pictures

HE was too good.

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And so were all my sneaky friends who had been asking me for the past month if I was doing anything for my birthday.

ALL my friends are good liars apparently.

how to plan a surprise

Sexy crying – even sexier when your false eyelashes start to fall off.

These are real tears, baby.

how to plan the best surprise party

My sneaky sister – two lies in one day!  That’s what family’s for, right? 😀

surprise party tips

Sweet birthday messages were written and attached to the balloons.

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best 30th birthday party decor

best 30th birthday party gifts

The DELICIOUS and GORGEOUS cake from Last Fortune in Los Angeles

best white silver black grey cake

And the LOVELY Taylor from Bella Ballroom who rocked our party by giving us a private lesson on dancing the Wobble, Salsa + Swing <3

best ballroom classes dancing party idea

Boogie time.

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Look – David’s actually dancing!

30th birthday activities

My bling

30th birthday favors

Having a blast dancing with my love

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what to do when turning 30

Man, this cake was good.  Most beautiful 30th birthday cake for a girl like me 🙂

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Then, ANOTHER surprise for the evening, David got a FOOD TRUCK!

Delicious and friendly Ninjas with Appetite – I got a Teritaco with coconut water!

orange county food truck

Yummm, late night munchies.

food truck for birthday orange county

oc food truck for birthday party

My small group even made me face another fear of popping balloons…even made me pop them with my heels!!!

black silver white balloons

I just kept sobbing unsexy tears of joy from how moved I was that night.

It was an incredible night.


 

my birthday trip away

I was still aglow from such a wonderful birthday weekend as I flew out to Oklahoma for our destination wedding.

When Cara and I arrived at the hotel room that evening, I opened the door and saw Cara starting to record me with her phone.

I was totally thrown off…what could that possibly be for?!  Was David about to pop into the room?  He’s supposed to shoot another wedding!

But he surprised me again with another amazingly romantic gesture.

excuse the high quality phone photos 😀

chocolate-covered-strawberries-barefoot-moscato

CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRIES and my favorite – Moscato!

Thank God Cara knew how to open wine bottles…because David always does that for me.  I really should learn.

best-bday-surprises

And along with those surprises, Cara handed me David’s longest, sweetest handwritten card yet:

best-birthday-wife-message

Argh, more sobbing.


 

It was the best birthday ever.


 

Overflowing to the brim with gratitude and love with how good God is to have never left me through the hardships, the failures – and to have blessed me with family who’ve seen me through thick and thin, and through the lovely and through the ugly…

To all my friends and family:

From my heart, I love you all.  Blessings, all of you – thank you for being so amazing.

best 30th birthday ideas

…and most of all I thank God for blessing me with a man who drives me crazy in both the good and the bad – a man I’m deeply in love with – my best friend, my love, my other half.

best 30th birthday

David,

There is no one else I’d want to go on this journey of life than with you.

This birthday was better than I could’ve hoped or dreamed of.

And so are you.

I love you.  Always.

vendors

  • 30th Birthday Party Photographers | D. Park Photography Associates Russell and Cara
  • Venue | Bella Ballroom
  • Dance Lessons | Taylor with Bella Ballroom
  • Cake Artist | Last Fortune Los Angeles
  • Food Truck | Ninjas with Appetite
  • Decor | Party City
  • 30th Birthday Girl Party Colors | Silver and Black

Capture your memories with the DPARK family today!

Filed Under: DPARK Tagged With: 30th birthday gift ideas, 30th birthday ideas, 30th birthday party ideas, orange county birthday photographer, turning 30

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