Happy Birthday Quantico Style

Being apart during birthdays means having to get creative with gift giving. I must say, Danno is an expert at this, which I learned during our courtship while he was away in Law School in Hawaii. (His gift giving tactics is another story!) In 2006, his birthday landed when he was out in Quantico enduring crazy OCS (Officer Candidate School)...which of course limited the gift options since sending packages always ran the risk of drawing the wrong kind of attention to them, so I had to be careful. Tons of friends and family helped me send him lots of love. Many of you may remember when I gathered emailed birthday wishes and tons of individual birthday cards to send him all at once. It was so unexpected and it totally brightened up his day (well as much as a day in OCS can possibly be)! In addition he got birthday coupons showing his actual birthday gifts and the birthday dinner he could look forward to when he returned, and then of course a photo of myself with my truck and our dog Emo, (which was actually the only thing he asked for.)

Last year, he was done with taking the Bar exam and our big day was around the corner! I must say, it worked out that I secretly managed to get a great deal on a Hummer rental weeks before the wedding because it became part of his birthday gift. I loved his face when I pulled up in it to pick him up for his birthday dinner (he would’ve been satisfied with just the dinner of course). But come on, I definitely couldn’t resist giving him a Hummer for his birthday!

Apart from only the necessities, Danno never asks for much, and it’s never the dollar value of anything that makes a great gift to him. He keeps life simple and knows he can live off very little. A reminder of what he values and love, a memorable experience, even to just know that he’s loved and cared for, will suffice. I believe he always deserves so much more than what he ever asks…for all his hard work and accomplishments that he is always so humble about…for being the honorable man/husband that I love and respect...for just being him!

So this year, he’s back in Quantico on his birthday...out in the field as we speak. Clock will strike midnight and I’ll text message him a Happy Birthday. No need to send him packages this time since I'm here in Quantico too (yay!), but squeezing in some sort of birthday plans this year have been a challenge (boo). I’m not sure when he’ll be home tomorrow, so celebrating will have to wait til the weekend once he finishes the week out. Even planning the dinner in an unfamiliar place is tough, and for some reason everyone we talk to out here thinks the Melting Pot is an amaaazing place. (eh, for real?!) His gifts are still arriving, so maybe if they get here I can wrap them in time before he comes home?…eh we’ll see. Beginning tomorrow, I'll be playing it by ear. I know I shouldn’t stress too much. These past months of having time with just the two of us have been great. Quality and quantity time together to relax will be so valuable! Anyway, Happy Birthday Hubby and I’m looking forward to celebrating with you soon!