Surprise!!

I have written about my brother before, and even created a meme.  But this really out does it.  My brother is a great guy, sweet, caring, kind to children and animals and good looking.  He cooks, will do pedicures and when necessary he will stand calf deep in shit and dig up the septic system, because that it what needs to be done.  We get along really well and have a great relationship, I had a blast when I went to visit y family in February.  We had a couple of “sib” nights and hung out, just the two of us. 

Last week I turned 30.  I was a little less than thrilled to leave my twenties behind, but I was not too concerned about turning thirty.  I had planned to go out to sushi with a friend after work, but my husband asked me to join him for a basketball game instead.  I decided we could do sushi another time.  I came home and Bülent was still in his nice work clothes, which is unusual.  We usually come home and change right into comfy clothes.   Then from around the corner appears…Elliot.  I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!  My brother was there.  IN MY APARTMENT.  IN ANKARA!   Apparently there was a bet between Bülent and Elliot that I would should “Oh my god” first, but the first word I said was “WHAT?!” My darling brother flew in for my birthday! 

My brother, on my couch, in my house in Ankara!

Bülent  had told me we would go on a surprise trip for my birthday, which I will detail in a later post.  He told me that there were two surprises, one was the location, which he would reveal before we went for packing purposes, the other he would not.  They had been planning the surprise for about three weeks.  It was such a great gift, to spend time with more of my family together. 

The trip was to the Doğa Karadeniz (Eastern Black Sea) where I have been wanting to go for a while.  It certainly was an interesting trip, filled with adventure, and challenges-more on that later.  However, the scenery was beautiful and we all had a wonderful time being together.  

I couldn’t have asked for a more special or memorable birthday.  This new decade was ushered in by a surprise of such magnitude and a week of such happiness and excitement, that I can only imagine what is to next to come.