SURPRISE!

My partner, my love, my obsession - Annie - decided to take me on a surprise trip for my 40th birthday. The only tips I was given were how to pack and that we were taking a car "part of the way" there.

We were driving and reached the SEA airport exit - AH WE'RE FLYING SOMEWHERE.

I'm standing in the security line and Annie turns around and faces me.

"Here's your passport."

WE'RE FLYING INTERNATIONAL??

Somehow I make it all the way to the gate without seeing where we're traveling. I notice a woman sitting near us with a "30" ribbon pinned on her shirt.

"Hey is it your birthday, too?? Happy Birthday!"

She responds, "oh my god you're going to Mexico City for your birthday, too??"

I look at Annie..."I guess so!"

I don't normally do street photography. Partially because I'm not great at it...partially because I don't have the balls to take secret pics of strangers. This was my first time in Mexico and my 22nd country I've visited (are we counting Vatican City?)

Despite 5 years of Spanish language classes in high school and college...I felt woefully underprepared to communicate in Spanish.

Luckily, our broken Spanglish was plenty to get us around. From the local clothing shops to the Michelin rated restaurants to the SURPRISE Rosalía concert - I had the best birthday celebration of my life. It was all thanks to Annie.