Also known as "the tenth anniversary of Jubee's 29th Birthday"!
February seems like a delightful time to share our first post to the Drahn Diaries! It has been a happy and full month so far. James spent time in Mexico; we toured and applied for the kids' schools next year; Jubee celebrated the 10th anniversary of her 29th birthday; swimming lessons, music lessons, and D&D campaigns resumed; Valentine's Day was celebrated; and I met my bio-Dad!
James in Mexico
Leave it to this sweet goofball to be reading a book while he's on a beautiful cruise off the Mexican coast. Classic.
The 10th Anniversary of Jubee's 29th birthday
February 6th was Jubee's birthday, and we made quite the event of it! We started the weekend off with a "Croissant-Crawl" - aka we hopped from one bakery to the next all across Denver, snagging a few croissants from each one for a taste test. Jubee's favorite was a French Onion croissant from Bakery Four, near Tennyson.
Next we were off the Denver Art Museum to see the Maurice Sendak exhibit with one of Jubee's friends and coworkers! We were touched by the exceptional feeling of movement he created in his illustrations, and resonated with the way he cherished books. "As a child I felt that books were holy objects, to be caressed, rapturously sniffed, and devotedly provided for. I gave my life to them." - Maurice Sendak
From there, we joined two dear friends at Odyssey, Jubee's favorite Italian restaurant in town, for delicious wine and delicious food and hours of celebratory conversation. (Note - sharing four desserts is always the way to go.)
The next morning we reveled in a slow, peaceful start and then headed out for afternoon pizza and beer with another friend! And finally, we rounded out the birthday weekend with a surprisingly pleasant evening at ESP HiFi - an unassuming Japanese kissa-inspired listening bar in the Santa Fe Art District. Bathed in low, warm light and soaked in the sounds of an all-analog, high-fidelity turn-table, ESP HiFi felt like a Sunday-evening sanctuary. With two of Jubee's dearest friends, we shared nibbles and cocktails that truly delighted us all!
On her actual birthday, the tiny humans treated Jubee to some fresh flowers, eclectic olive and croissant themed treats, and a new Irish flute! (Fun fact: We 100% picked out the wrong one, and goofed up the intended birthday gift from her parents, too. But that's a story for another day! Just imagine the huge #facepalm I needed.)
Happy birthday, you sweet angel of a human being. The world is so much better with you in it. We love you all the way to our back and up!
Valentine's Day
The night we prepared the kids' Valentines for their classmates turned out to be one of the funnest nights we've had together all month - a random Wednesday evening spent on the floor of the living room signing their name over and over and over. Who would have guessed?!
We celebrated with some little treats from Deiter's, a favorite local chocolate shop of ours, and a yummy dinner out!
Amanda met her bio-Dad
Despite having two very loved father figures in my life (my Dad, Pat, who is the only "Dad" I have ever known and adopted me legally in elementary school, and my late stepdad, Don, who was very special) I have never known who my biological father is. Thanks to an Ancestry DNA kit and some internet sleuthing, now I do!
In mid-February, we all got to meet him. That was truly surreal, and a total gift! We plan to make up for lost time and are looking forward to spending a lot of time with him, and the rest of the new family members we discovered.
And All of the other normal days
Of course, all of the other normal days this month brought unexpected little intrusions of beauty as well! From art projects and movie outings and library dates, to donuts and family game night and sibling swimming shenanigans...there were sweet moments everywhere.
With love,
Amanda
Love it!