daniella bella

so i have had a goal for about 5 years to be "the birthday girl" (that's what i call her in my head). i just really, really want to be that one gal that remembers everyone's birthday, always sends them a cute card, and goes the extra mile to help loved ones feel extra special on their day of birth. i've made about 5 birthday calendars and gotten all hyped up over and over about my plans to be the best birthday girl ever. i dunno, i just really wanna.

reality is that at about 11:25pm on the night of a dear one's birthday, i suddenly remember it is their birthday and i send them a loooong text, feel guilty for not doing more, and strengthen my resolve to be that dang awesome birthday girl.

i'll get there someday. tonight i realized by blog could help!

yesterday was my beloved dani's birthday - so here's my tribute to her!

she's one of the coolest people on the planet - will climb bridal veil falls in her sunday clothes and jerusalem sandals and turn back to strike her sexy pose - plays the uke and has a singing voice like a fairy - always has sparklers when i want them - makes exquisitely beautiful wedding cakes - is addicted to hummus - has devastatingly rad style - is the best hair-braider this side of the mississippi, and the other side too - is fiercely loyal to those she loves and to the gospel - gets really excited about really exciting things (and we can just look at each other with that excited face and know that there are no words) - loves people and the world so much, and it's contagious - is always up for an adventure - has a heart of gold - sleeps with an electric blanket - adores butterflies and handmade stuff - whips up the best salsa ever - is always interesting to talk to - makes the lives of those she spends time with so much better every day - is bright as the stars and absolutely beautiful inside and out - she's my adventure buddy and my soulmate!

the list could go on and on and on, and so could the pictures! as i browsed through some tonight to post i was overwhelmed. this girl and i have gotten around together! cheers for all the adventures, dani girl!

we first met at the jerusalem center and had so many good times all over israel, egypt and jordan

then started adventuring through utah...

one time we were in the provo 4th of july parade with red, white and blue hair extensions and holding 2 of the 30 strings that held up a giant yellow care-bear balloon...

later, we went to havasupai...

and found our mutual fiery love for the utah mountains...

and road tripped to colorado...

then dani came to visit me in boston...

and we went skiing when i came home...

while i was on the mission, dani lived in thailand and uganda and then we celebrated being in the same country with trips to bear lake and disneyland...

then we became roommates in provo and had adventures every day. one stop was kolob...

and on halloween we dressed up like tinkerbell and sleeping beauty...

and at christmastime we enjoyed the magic of the lights...

then we decided to have a week long layover in thailand on the way to india and we rented a scooter and cruised up to a mountain-top buddhist temple...

played with and taught some incredibly cute kids at rising star...

and stopped by to see the taj on the way home.

back to provo and truckbed canyon cruising...

and then we thought we stop by d.c. and new york...

now we are both starting new lives on opposite sides of the country. but dani couldn't move to connecticut without a quick trip to see me in san francisco...

see what i mean about lots of adventures? she and i were made for each other.

love you so so so daniella bella! happy happy happy birthday (a day late!)