I walk into a building blind folded after being driven around for a while. As anticipation rises and Ray leads me into rooms with familiar smells, music whispers in the distance. I keep walking, "don't take off the blindfold until I say so!" Ray says. She takes off my sweater and puts a shirt over my tank top and all the while music is growing louder. I feel cool paint on my face, carefully placed in specific patterns and we stop walking. My blind fold is lifted but before I see what's before me the words "tribal rave" escape my lips. Glow in the dark sticks and movement all around me in a dark room and "TO LOVE AND ADORE YOU IT'S ALL THAT I AM, IT'S ALL THAT I HAVE" echoes as I realize my friends are raging with painted faces and costumes in the church that I grew up in. I stand shocked and crying as they circle me, picking me up and give me the tightest most genuine hugs. And we dance into the night.
Suffice it to say that would have been more than enough to leave me speechless but as the music fades out and the lights slowly come on, V looks at me and asks "ready for part two?" My friends gather around me lay hands on me and begin to pray, fighting with me, fighting for me, for this coming year. I'm undone at this point.
And as if that wasn't enough after hugs and lots of I love yous', "there's one more thing" Ray concludes. Travis hands me the most beautifully rapped gift. I open it and find a bible. Petite, brand new and perfect.
Happy Friday!
-DG
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