Today is my birthday. My mother went into labor with me on Father’s day and every year since, I walk the line between being the giftee (for my birthday) and the giftor (for all the amazing men in my life whom deserve only the very best father’s day gifts).

Have you ever read Dr. Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages? The insight he gives into the way men and women give and receive love, is fascinating and can easily be applied to marriages, friendships and even parenting!  He breaks down this idea that each of us speak in one of five love languages, as our primary way to show and feel genuine love. Acts of Service, Physical Touch, Giving Gifts, Words of Affirmation and Quality Time. Now, most of us are a mix of these and naturally speak more than one of language. For me, Acts of Service and Giving Gifts are closely intertwined. I’ll bend over backwards for the people I love. I’ll do just about anything for them. And I love – and I mean L-O-V-E – to give gifts.  It’s a thing. I’m that crazy person on Black Friday with a notebook full of ideas for the people in my world. I’m also that crazy person who has more than 50% of my shopping done before Black Friday!

For my poor hubby, knowing that I have probably had the perfect gift for him picked out and wrapped for months now, and knowing my birthday is right next to the day he will be getting said gift… well, let’s just say he gets a little anxious. Giving gifts is not his natural love language and bless  his heart, he tries.

But this year, he knocked it out of the park! So what was this perfect gift you ask? It wasn’t diamonds, or gold or the newest designer bag. None of those things would be for me. Instead, he bought me a ticket to a writer’s convention.  And not just any writer’s convention… but my very first one!

You see, for years now I’ve been saying I want to write a book.  Not just any book, but the book… the one that’s been rattling around in my mind for years. But life got busy, we’ve had babies, we’ve moved, we’ve suffered, we’ve risen.  In short, we’ve lived in a constant state of change with some serious dashes of chaos thrown in. Because writing is a primal need for this brain of mine to stay sane, I’ve written when I could but always shorter pieces. Monologues and skits for local non profit organizations, speeches, and even a few play scripts that will always hold a special place in my heart.

I imagine it was no surprise to Hubby when I sat him down and asked if we could figure out a way to work writing into our busy schedule. We worked out that every Wednesday at 7pm I would have uninterrupted time with me and my new laptop he bought just for this purpose. Every Wednesday since April, I’ve written, read, re-read, edited and giddily typed the words I’ve been wanting to write for so long. As of today, I am 3/4 of the way through and am ecstatic with how the story has progressed! But knowing I was coming to the end of the novel, I began researching what would be the next step. How does one get published? What on earth is a query? And how do I pitch a novel in 90 seconds or less when I’ve poured over each and every detail for the past 2 1/2 months?

In the midst of my research, I could feel the overwhelming urge to bury my head under my laptop. I may have lived in that space for a while but then, while at work, Hubby heard a news story about a conference coming to our city. He bought a ticket to a writer’s convention because he knew that I needed to speak to experts in the field and be surrounded with like-minded people who speak my “language.”

Since receiving this gift a few short days ago, my emotions have run the gamut! I’m equal parts terrified and thrilled! I can’t wait to pitch and get feedback, to meet other authors and learn from them too! I’ve googled, I’ve LinkedIn, I now have a Twitter handle and obviously, the start of an author’s website.  Yesterday I picked up my business cards and agonized over what to wear.

But today, I’m going to put all the fear and insecurity away. I’m going to walk into that conference, force myself to be extroverted when in reality I do better in smaller settings or with written word.  And I’m going to soak up every ounce of knowledge I can from every person I can! And I’m going to do it knowing that the ticket in my purse is more than just entrance into a beautiful ballroom and breakout sessions. It’s tangible proof that my hubby sees all of my hard work and believes in me enough to push me to do more.

So Happy Birthday to me! It’s a wonderful start as I embark on a lovely new year! And if you happen to be reading this and an attendee at the same conference, feel free to come celebrate with me! I’ll be the one chugging coffee and writing down every word of advice I hear!