“For my birthday party, my boyfriend chose to bring food prepared by his mom for himself to enjoy.”

Naturally, I tend to be introverted; it’s just part of who I am. So, for my birthday, I envisioned a cozy weekend spent with my nearest and dearest. I lit candles around the house, brewed some tea, and started preparing a meal.

I aimed for everything to be just right. While I knew my parents would be bringing the birthday cake, I was determined to handle the cooking. My goal was for everyone to feel at home and cherished, so I meticulously planned a menu that included a favorite dish for each guest.

“Are you certain you don’t want me to treat you to dinner, Gabi?” my boyfriend, Jamie, asked the day before while we were out for coffee.

“Yes,” I replied. “I want to cook for everyone. Besides you and my parents, it’ll just be Nicole, Jenna, and the boys—only the closest people.”