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How to Turn 55 While in Miami

May 22, 2010 By Marta Darby 12 Comments

The following post has been brought to you courtesy of Kikita.

Greetings from Miami!

Yesterday was Mami’s 55th birthday (it’s ok, she told me I could tell you) and the celebrating started early in the morning and went late into the night. (Ok, technically I think she will be stretching her birthday out through the weekend, but that’s not important right now.)

This is how I found her this morning:

Modernmami birthday cake
Sharing a cake with her blog-friend the Modern Mami.

A couple of hours later Mami was enjoying a Dulce de Leche cupcake from InStyle Cupcakes.

Dulce de leche cupcake
After a quick stop to visit Tio Abuelo Fernando (yes, the 99 year old one I went to Cuba with in March)…

Visiting fernando
Mami had lunch with her cousin Yllien at the Gables Diner (yes, I got to go too).

Ylli at gables diner
Next it was time for the main event.

It was time for the big, fat, Cuban birthday party.

And we made it happen!

We had such a great group of people show up! And from all over the United States!

Lea & Vidal made it from New Jersey (and yes, we’re going to pretend that the only reason they were in Miami was to say hello to Mami on her birthday).

Lea and Vidal 

Scott and his daughter Daryn came all the way from Georgia.

Daryn and Scott Gillies
Billy trekked in from New Orleans.

Billy hug
Carrie showed up for some Tiki Tiki.

P5218703

My cousin, Michael, made an appearance along with his lovely wife, Kimberly.

Michael and Kimberly
Amanda from Brandon’s Puppy brought her whole brood with her and even Abe was there with his daughter Alissa.

Dinner table

It was so wonderful to have such a mixed group come and share such a fabulous evening. To all of you who were there, thank you. Mami was incredibly touched and feels oh-so-loved (which was the whole point).

Blowing out the candle

To those of you who couldn’t make it, here’s what you missed (beyond delicious Cuban food and fun-tastic conversation):

Since my Dad and the rest of my siblings could not be there with us, they sent a video. Ok, it was all my Dad’s idea. He worked hard on his video slide show and couldn’t wait for Mami to see it. It was really quite adorable.

When I set up her computer and started playing it, she burst into tears because the song he’d chosen was the song they had danced to at their wedding.

Mami watching video
It was a very sweet moment and a very sweet video.

I hope you enjoy it:

You might also like:

A Big, Fat, Cuban Family Birthday Party Invitation Las Terrazas Fiddling on the Roof Miami Rules.

Filed Under: Cuban-American Life, Friends, My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Tagged With: Amy, Amy (Kikita)’s Posts, Amy Kikita Hohneker, Amy's Posts, el tiki tiki, Tiki Tiki Blog, travel

Previous Post: « A Big, Fat, Cuban Family Birthday Party Invitation
Next Post: “Que es El Tiki Tiki?” – an explanation »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alby says

    May 22, 2010 at 6:03 am

    Awe, this is so touching & super adorable. I can just feel all the love! Happy Belated! Azuuuuuucar! 😉

    Reply
  2. Marcela says

    May 22, 2010 at 8:21 am

    Happy Birthday Martha!!!!!It was so much fun to see you and Kikita in Miami!!!!
    55 looks AMAZING and SWEET with all that dessert!!!

    Reply
  3. Kiki Bacaro says

    May 22, 2010 at 8:55 am

    That was absolutely beautiful Marti…and the Van Morrison (and far superior:)version!!! The man has got it goin’ on!!

    Reply
  4. Jorge Luis says

    May 22, 2010 at 10:27 am

    I wish I had been there. Looks an awesome time was had by all. Happy Bday!

    Reply
  5. Lolitaperez818 says

    May 22, 2010 at 11:40 am

    Dear Martha,I just finished watching your Birthday Video, how beautiful, I cried and cried. Martha, I don’t know you but from your blog I can tell you are sooooo blessed and surrounded by so much love – it’s so beautiful.
    La Caridad Del Cobre is definitely in your house protecting all of you, you have a lovely spirit and with good spirit comes great energy.
    Happy Birthday, Martha
    wishing you continued success, love & good health.
    Muchos Besos y Abrazos
    Lolita
    PS: You never know what turn life will take, maybe in the next couple of years we will see a Free Cuba and you’ll be celebrating your birthday en la Tropicana!
    “Dios Mio”

    Reply
  6. Mike D. says

    May 22, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    You are truly blessed with all the love in your life. Very inspiring…I hope one day I will be able to visit the beautiful country you and so many of your family were born in…

    Reply
  7. Leesa says

    May 22, 2010 at 5:58 pm

    That was such a lovely video, Eric. Brought tears to my eyes; as well!Marti, you are truly blessed to be able to surround yourself with YOUR loving family!
    Glad to see your birthday celebration was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT in Miami!!!
    Love ya, Leesa ♥xoxo♥

    Reply
  8. Carrie Matheny says

    May 23, 2010 at 5:13 am

    Happy birthday Marta, I kinda wish I were Cuban! You look like you had a fantastic time. We hope to see you real soon, it has been too long since the last time ( Wandas Birthday) Love Matheny FamilyC

    Reply
  9. Melanie (Modern Mami) says

    May 24, 2010 at 6:49 am

    Happy birthday again Marta! So happy to have shared my birthday morning with you. Glad to see the rest of your birthday weekend was fun as well!

    Reply
  10. keb says

    May 24, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    Way to go, Eric! That was a splendid video, made me cry like a baby. keb

    Reply
  11. isma perez oro says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    wow that flan. that by itself is the way to celebrate. the flan…omg the word itself brigs tears of joy. congratulations on your birthday. everyone faced beamed and told the story…they love you. i love this blog.

    Reply
  12. BFF says

    May 28, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    Great video Eric! Love you BFF!

    Reply

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Marta Verdes Darby is a Cuban-American food blogger in South Orange County.

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