Everyone has a magic birthday. Mine was on the 24th of December, 2011. Yes, I turned 24, and I decided it was a Big Deal. I decided my magic birthday was going to be a Big Deal long ago, but my expectations were surpassed by three wonderful people: my parents and my younger sister.
As a Christmas Eve baby, the location of my birthday has always been dictated to me. I was not in my beloved Scotland this year, which saddened me simply because it is my home. The whole family (minus my older sister and brother-in-law, who were the only things lacking on my birthday) were down in London. Even in the big smoke, it is difficult to find things to do on Christmas Eve. In most places, things are not open because, hey, it's Christmas Eve. In London, however, the things that are open are usually packed for family outings.
There had been suggestions of opera (not on), ballet (booked out), galleries (all closed), and then I remembered that I had high tea on my 101 list. (Side note: I have just realised that the birthday suggestions listed make me sound super and cultured. I wish I was as sophisticated as those activities suggest. I would wear elbow length black gloves and smoke, probably.) My lovely mum booked us a table for tea at Brown's hotel in Mayfair (!), and we decided that we'd have a wander around London before we went.
My sister and I took some truly ridiculous pictures on our way to the hotel, and I realised while trying to clamber onto one of the Trafalgar Square lions that I am less flexible than your average foot-thick steel girder. Still, I had so much fun!
When we got to Brown's, there was ACTUALLY a man in a top hat and tails who opened the door. No lie. It was amazing. As he opened the door, I decided to pretend that I was exceedingly rich and that I do this kind of thing all the time. I gave him the sort of smile the sophisticated, black-gloved smoker version of me would have given, and we were welcomed into the tea rooms.
All of the staff sounded French. All of them. Was this deliberate? Did they want to give it a further air of sophistication? Was the pianist playing a baby grand not enough of a giveaway? Apparently not. However, it did feel more special having all the French accents around. This probably makes me a tad ridiculous. I am OK with that.
Guys, if you are feeling wealthy one day and you happen to be in London, go to tea at Brown's. It was utterly wonderful. They kept bringing food. It did not stop! The mini-scones melted in your mouth, the wee sandwiches were what I imagine sandwiches would taste like in heaven, and the cakes... well, words are not sufficient to describe the cakes. The selection of teas was astounding, and they were the most delicious things ever.
As if all this weren't enough, right in the middle of tea, the pianist stopped. He started playing 'Happy Birthday' as the waiting staff brought out a candle and cake on an iced plate that also wished me a happy birthday. Everyone in the tea rooms sang along, and my mum cried. True story. I don't know if I have ever felt so special in my entire life, and I was able to share the moment with some of my all time favourite people.
I didn't want to leave, but leaving was made worth it when my mum put her coat on over her enormous bag and started to look like Quasimodo in the middle of one of London's smartest hotels. We then went to the big Odeon in Leicester Square where all the premieres are held (a big thrill for a movie lover like me. 'Meryl Streep could have peed in this very toilet', etc.), and as we were all going home, laughing like drains at slightly inappropriate jokes as is standard for my family, I realised something: my family are my friends. I am so blessed to be able to say that. My family are wonderful people whose company I enjoy, and I laugh with them probably more than I laugh with anyone else.
My family are also my friends. This is a rare and beautiful thing, and I am so lucky to be able to call both those who were present and my absent, beloved sister and brother-in-law, my friends.
My magic birthday was filled with small, special and unforgettable events that I honestly think I will cherish forever, but it was those fabulous people who I spent with it who made it the treasure it truly was. Thanks for giving me one of the best days of my life.
Love, it's Emily. Facebook keeps on being sporadically blocked by the government which is why I'm commenting here, but this was such a pleasure to read (and maybe cry a bit about). Thank you so much for writing such a lovely post - it is a sincere regret of mine that Luke and I were not able to have been there for your magic birthday. Next time tho, eh?
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