I showed up at work this morning to find a bright orange birthday cake on my desk.

On a normal day, this might seem strange, but today is my birthday and the simple concoction of milk, cream, eggs, sugar and flour brought tears to my eyes.

I was surprised and delighted, to say the least, and took it all in with a look on my face that closely resembled the Stepford birthday girl's expression on the vintage album cover below. I haven't had a cake this grand since I was a little girl and my mom would trek on over to Carvel to get me my much desired Fudgie the Whale or Cookiepuss cake. This cake is even better.

My cake has my name spelled out in perfect purple cake icing calligraphy and is topped off by miniature handbag and high-heeled shoe candles. I also scored helium balloons and the special edition 2 DVD set of Confessions of a Shopaholic. All courtesy of my darling co-worker Jody.

Did I mention my crystal tiara?

It makes me not even care that I'm another year way past the legal drinking age.

My birthday wish? That I share an office with Jody for the rest of my life.