There are birthdays… and then there are moments.
The kind you wish you could press pause on, bottle up, and come back to whenever you need a reminder of how good life can feel.
This year, mine looked like this: a round table, soft pink light filtering through sheer curtains, cascading greenery behind me, and a group of women I adore sitting close enough to laugh over each other’s stories. All of it unfolding at Botanist, tucked inside the beautiful Fairmont Pacific Rim.
The Setting
The space itself feels like a dream.
Light, airy, almost like you’ve stepped into a modern greenhouse in the middle of the city. The way the vines fall behind the table, the soft tones, the quiet elegance—it doesn’t try too hard, but it feels special.
And that’s exactly what you want for a birthday.
The Energy
Five girls.
No rush.
Just that easy, effortless kind of laughter that only happens when you’ve known each other long enough to feel completely yourself.
We toasted (more than once), leaned in close to hear stories, and let the afternoon stretch out in the best way. There’s something about being surrounded by women who truly celebrate you—it changes the whole feeling of a birthday.
It becomes less about the day… and more about the people.
The Food
Every plate that came out felt like art.
Fresh, vibrant greens with delicate edible flowers.
Beautifully plated dishes with layers of flavour you actually stop to notice.
And a dessert that felt almost too pretty to touch—but of course, we did.
It’s not just about eating here. It’s about experiencing the food.
The Cocktails
Soft, citrusy, floral—served in the prettiest coupe glasses with delicate edible flowers floating on top.
The kind of drink you hold for a second before sipping, just to take it in.
And yes… we clinked glasses for that perfect moment (and maybe a photo or two 😉).
The Moment
There’s a photo of me mid-laugh, another making a wish, and one where we’re all raising our glasses together—and when I look at them, I don’t just see a lunch.
I see connection.
I see joy.
I see a moment in time where everything felt easy, beautiful, and exactly as it should be.
The Takeaway
This birthday reminded me of something simple but important:
You don’t need anything over the top to make a day feel special.
You just need the right people, a beautiful space, and the willingness to be present in it.
And honestly… I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
