so my birthday was on the 7th. it was my first birthday without my mom, so i was thinking of her in the back of my head the whole day. 

i wake up to a missed call from the veterinary office across the street. i had applied for a job with them and interviewed with the vet. i even shadowed there two weeks prior. i was waiting eagerly to hear back from them. i was so nervous, because there were two other potential candidates, and i was scared it wouldn't get the job. 

as it turns out, neither of the other two interviewees worked out. they didn't even shadow, so it was decided that neither of them were the right fit, for one reason or another. IT WAS ME THE WHOLE TIME. 

they offered me the job, on my birthday. this is a small, family owned practice, so small in fact that you are bumping shoulders while moving through the building at times. i told the vet over the phone, "i know you probably don't know this, but today is my birthday, and you just gave me the best gift ever." 

i go over the next day to fill out the paperwork and the employment forms... it turns out, the vet bought me a cake for my birthday. they have a tradition where every single employee gets a cake on their birthday, and a photo is posted on the facebook page... i was so so happy. i wasn't even hired yet, but they were already treating me like i was apart of the family. 

i came home and i sobbed to my fiance. i cried like a baby. i don't think they will ever know how much this means to me. i have been wanting to work with animals again for so long. and this was my last chance, because i don't drive due to disabilities. they are right across the street, i can walk over there any time. there were no other places this close that i hadn't already been rejected from... 

i know my mom would be so proud of me.