"Sweet...I'm sixteen years old, that's like...old."
Ok, so I don't really feel that old, but I do feel like this past year has gone by without me making any huge strides in my life, I feel like I should have changed the world or at least wrote on my blog more then three times.
Whatever regrets I have, whatever strides I've taken throughout in my year as a Canadian fifteen year old I can put them aside now and say: "I'm sixteen, and that's sweet."
Now, for what happened on the date itself.
9:15 AM- Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteenTra la-la-la-la la-la-la-laHappy birthday sweet sixteen Tonight's the night I've waited for Because you're not a baby anymore...Woken up with this song made it somewhat less painful that I had stayed up way too late the night before watching...what was I watching again? I turned off the song, and climbed back under my covers hoping to get at least another hour of sleep. That's when Faith's head pops up and her blue eyes smile, "Happy Birthday Ainsley! I can't believe you're sixteen!" I've given up on the plan of sleeping longer. I muttle out a "Thank you Faith" and grab some clothes and head to the shower. My shower in the morning is definitely in the top five times of the day I love the most. the hot water on my back, the smell of shampoo, the feeling of cleanliness. I sing "When A Man Loves a Woman" while drying and getting dressed, and I stare at my little tub full of brushes and mascara and eye shadow that I rarely use, I decide that It's my birthday and I will put on some make-up. I'm quite happy with the way I look as I come out of the washroom, dad comes and wishes me a happy birthday and kisses me on the cheek.
The rest of the morning is spent reading my book (Brave New World) and reading the happy birthday messages that people have left me on Facebook. My father also took me out parallel parking. Around 1ish I go out with Katherine a very good friend of mine, and we take a trip to "Paint me Mine" a place where you can paint pottery. We painted a beautiful bowl and then went walking to Dollorama and bought treats that we ate while waiting for her sibling to pick us up.
5:00 PM- When I got home There was no one there, I phoned my mom's cell to see where they were at. The phone is answered by a voice that sounds like Maggie's, but Maggie is at Madison's. "We're on our way home we'll be there in about thirty minutes. she says. After hanging up I assume it was Faith, but I don't think much of it. I wait around the house, and when they arrive I notice that it is only Maman, Faith and Naomi, and I think it must have been Faith who answered the phone. My mom offers that we go out to supper for my birthday, and that I dress up (C'mon It'll be fun to dress up!" "OK") I drive us to Chili's, we haven't been there in forever it seems but the wait wasn't long and the food was good. after leaving I ask my mom if she wants me to drive home. "No, I'll drive". OK then, as we drive we talk about what has changed now that I'm sixteen, we talk about getting my drivers license. and about how now I qualify for a lot of jobs.
7:30ish- My mom suddenly out of the blue says "Ainsley I want to show you something" and turns the car down a street I recognize as the one we take to go to church. "Hey isn't this the way to church?" I just want to show you something. Ok.
I look back at Naomi, she gives me the "I have no idea what's going on" look. we pull into the parking lot and I see a red Grand Caravan...Is that the Ferguson's van maman? "maybe, I don't know" (at this point I'm more wierded out then anything."
We park and get out of the car and I'm, thinking that we're doing some sort of get together with the Ferguson's and us, It's Kevin's Birthday next week. But why didn't I know about it? I'm walking slightly behind my mom when just before we enter she pushes me through and i walk in first.
From around the corner almost 30 people yell out "SURPRISE!" I feel my face turn beet red, I spin around and almost walk out of the building, but realize that would probably not be such a great Idea. I smile awkwardly and Bronwyn comes forward and gives me a hug. 'Good job guys" I say " You sure surprised me"
I've thrown suprise birthdays before but i never realized just how awkward it is to be standing in front of so many people who are all there for you. I feel so loved, I start to cry, just slightly. "I don't know what 'm supposed to say." Someone yells out speech! while I hear one of the Dewaal boys say "well a simple thank you would be nice." everyone laughs. Rayna goes on to show me all the preparations that were done, It's a Hollywood themed Birthday" she says. "Don't mind the cowboy hats hanging from he ceiling, they were here before." I'm served some punch and that's when I notice I'm shaking, my glass is spilling. I can't stop saying Wow and oh my goodness.
The evening is full of fun. from the picture booth complete with props to the celebrity guessing game set up in a corner, to a humorous slideshow trivia game composed of questions about me. there was laughing, dancing, talking and plenty of balloons. I was so thankful for everyone there and especially my sister Maggie who I found out had orchestrated this event. I found out that Katherine was sent to take me out earlier that afternoon to get me out of the house that Maggie indeed had answered the phone and hoped I hadn't recognized her voice. we talked about all the close calls and times that my family was so sure I knew about the party. I never guessed a thing in reality. The party ended late, and I was exhausted by the end of it. But it will stay in my memory for a long time to come. I think i can honestly say it was the best party I have ever had.
Two days later- So now I'm sixteen...sweet, what changes now? I can get my drivers, I qualify for more jobs, I think the neatest thing though, about being sixteen is that I'm still young. still impressionable, I still have lots to learn, I have room to grow, friends to make, relationships to build, I have passions and desires, I have dreams and aspirations, and I have God, the creator of the universe leading me, guiding me, and teaching me. That, I believe is the most important step I have taken int he last sixteen years, the step I took when i was six to trust in Jesus forever.
-Ainsley
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1st Timothy 4:12
