I asked, pointing to the containers. “Take the flowers first, birthday girl,” Tom said, smiling, as he opened his arm slightly for me to take a bouquet from under his arm.
Behind me, I knew that my parents and my friends had tensed momentarily—a collective flashback stirring. But Tom, being the complete opposite of Jamie, laughed at everyone as he went around the room hugging everybody, ensuring to kiss my mother on her cheek.
“Before anyone jumps to conclusions, my mom made cheesecake for Gabi—her favorite. And she insisted that I pick it up for dessert.” I smiled. I couldn’t believe how wonderfully lucky I had gotten with Tom.
Laughter and relieved sighs filled the room, the contrast from last year stark and heartening. Dinner went off perfectly—with Tom joining in on all the conversations and ensuring that everyone’s glasses were full.
And I could see that the people closest to me were falling in love with him, too. When dessert rolled around, we savored the cheesecake that had been made especially for me
That night, as I looked around at my friends and Tom, I realized how different I had been the year before, and how different my decisions had been going forward.
All I wanted was to ensure I was with someone who valued what I did. And if anything, this birthday wasn’t just a celebration of another year, it was a testament to new beginnings and the small, thoughtful acts that truly define our relationships.
