it's the thought that counts~

growing up, i don't recall ever really receiving gifts from my parents.... or having a big party thrown for me. i always got an envelope with money in it. (don't judge the parenting, it's a cultural difference).

but i do remember that ONE year. the year that i had become quite obsessed with the Backstreet Boys. (every moment they were on mtv, my best friend and i would stand next to our VCRs and hit the RECORD button!) on my 15th birthday, my mom let me have a few friends sleep over. she cooked us korean dinner and even had a gift for me! (nevermind that she probably had her assistant go out and find it, buy it, wrap it). i had low expectations.... that were at once heightened by a cute "Happy St. Patrick's Birthday" card! how thoughtful and particular to me! then..... rip open gift wrapping to.... [insert: MACHU PICHU-like yell here]..... 2 video tapes! legit, store-bought BSB Concert videos! right then, i knew what all the hula-buloo around children's birthday parties was. i never felt so special, cared about, understood, and loved, like i did at that moment. i felt happy to be BORN. haha. and at that moment, all those years of resentment towards my mom at refusing my Birthday Barbie requests flew out the window.

this is how i explain my deepest appreciation for giving and receiving presents. no matter how little or how unimportant a gift may seem to you- to me, it says that you appreciate me, that we're close, and that you're thinking of me :")

*next time, i'll share the story about how Julie (unintentionally) came to be my favorite (that year) and yes, this story involves a very intricately planned array of secret santa Christmas gifts. hee hee!