Every year, Marie gets special treatment on her birthday. This year has been a little different though. Southgate Coins has scaled down some traditional celebrations, and really started to focus on the heart of what we’re celebrating, rather than the show. With just the three of us left (Rusty, Marie, and me, Maya), we work together to honor our friends and coworkers. This year was no different in that respect.
Since I started working here in March 2007, I have participated (or been honored) at tons of birthday parties at the store. Today marks the seventh of Marie’s birthdays that I have celebrated with her. Each time this season comes around, we receive many cards and gifts for Marie from special friends and clients. This year, we even got an unexpected birthday card from Miss Nicole, who left the store to move to Houston, TX, nearly four months ago.
Southgate Coins owner Marie Goe receives presents on her birthday at her Northern Nevada coin shop
In years passed, the other girls and I have always stayed late the day before a birthday celebration to decorate the back office. In anticipation of this, I stayed late yesterday evening (10-24-13), expecting to decorate everything for Marie. This time though, Rusty decided that a simple banner behind Marie’s desk would suffice, along with what we both would be bringing as gifts.
Earlier yesterday, Rusty slipped out of the store, as he always does, to search for fresh, potted flowers for Marie on her birthday. After two stops and no luck, he eventually got a colorful, hanging, potted plant medley for Marie. He was upset that he was not able to find a stick-balloon, or the customary burnt-yellow-orange chrysanthemums that are often seen this time of year.
Little did he know, I had already planned on getting Marie a balloon and potted flowers, and I was able to find the special chrysanthemums on my side of town. When I arrived in the morning, Marie was very happy with the hanging potted plant medley on her desk, as well as the balloon, card, and flowers I brought in for her. Marie was tickled that even my daughter, Embry, got involved by picking out the “pretty pink present” birthday card!
When Rusty arrived at the store this morning, he saw that I was able to complement his gifts to Marie with mine. Marie squealed with delight when she saw that in addition to what was already laid out before her, he was carrying her favorite flavor Nothing Bundt Cake. She told Rusty, “You don’t even eat this kind!”
Nothing Bundt Cake’s Pumpkin Spice cake is seasonal, and only available around Marie’s birthday each year. And, because Rusty couldn’t remember if I liked Pumpkin Spice cake or not, he made special provisions (like he’s done for other picky girls in the past), and got me a separate mini-red velvet cake. (He did mention that my tastes have gotten better in the time I've been here. though!)
Marie was very happy with the assortment of gifts and treats. It’s nice to know that even though we’ve scaled back on a few traditions here at the store, we always make sure to make people feel special on their special days.
Like I wrote in Marie’s birthday card, I hope that she has a wonderful weekend with Rusty and her puppies—she deserves some time to relax.
Have a Happy Birthday, Marie. You’re the best!
<3 Maya