When Plans Fail, Creativity Prevails: Happy Birthday to ME

I Was Able to Save the Day!

Hi, I’m Mide, and this is the story of how I turned a series of unfortunate events into a day filled with happiness and laughter.

Let me start with a confession: I anticipated my birthday photoshoot even more than the birthday itself. While I’d planned to stay indoors, binge-watch my favorite movies, and keep things cozy and low-key on my big day, I wanted the pictures to be extraordinary. Not over-the-top, just something elegant that mirrored the poise I hoped to carry into this new chapter of my life.

And thus began the planning. Being a nail tech and pretty skilled with makeup, I had those details covered. I even made a set of beautiful press-on nails for the photoshoot. All I needed was to get my hair done and a chic outfit to match. That’s when I thought, “Why stress when I can support my friend's business?” She’s both a hair vendor and a fashion designer; two birds, one stone, right?

We made plans, set the date, and I made the necessary payment. Two days before the shoot, I messaged her:
Mide: Hi love, can I get the hair and dress today? I’d like to test them together and see if any adjustments are needed.

One hour passed. My message was left unread. I called but got no response. Eventually, she called back.
Friend: Sorry, dear! I didn’t see your call. About the hair, the driver hasn’t delivered it yet.
Mide: Okay, the shoot is tomorrow. Will you be able to get it by then?
Friend: Hopefully.

The next day, I woke up brimming with excitement, my adrenaline refusing to let me stay in bed. I just knew it was going to be a fantastic day. But as the hours ticked by; 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m. There was still no word from her. By 6 p.m., my excitement had fizzled into frustration. My mood had officially swung.

The following day, she apologized:
Friend: The driver didn’t make it yesterday. He said it got too dark to travel but promised to deliver today.

Another day gone.
The next day made it officially three days to my birthday, and I finally saw my dress and hair. The hair? Love at first sight. Absolutely stunning and worth every penny. The dress? Let’s just say reality fell short of the vision.

I had given her an old gold sequin gown from my wardrobe for adjustments, hoping to transform it into something chic. While the idea was great, the transformation wasn’t. But there wasn’t enough time to fuss. I did my makeup, wore the dress, added the wig, and stared at myself in the mirror. I almost didn’t recognize myself and not in a good way. Too much was happening all at once.

Still, my friend hyped me up. I told myself, “Stop overthinking. Just get through the shoot. You can edit the pictures later.”

We did the shoot, and for a few hours afterward, I convinced myself the pictures were okay. But the more I looked at them, the more I realized they weren’t. Every editing trick I tried only made things worse. I sent the pictures to my sister, hoping for some reassurance. Her response? “You look like a wannabe goddess, but more like an evil stepmother on her way to an Owambe.”

My mum’s reaction sealed the deal: “The pictures aren’t great, my dear.”

Heartbroken, I thought, “So, the photoshoot I had so anticipated won’t even happen? And I’ll spend my birthday at home, stewing in disappointment?”

The next morning, my mum called me early. Her words were a lifeline:
“I know you’re sad, and I don’t want you crying on your birthday. It doesn’t have to end like this. Take some money, get your hair done, find a dress in your wardrobe, and do a home shoot. You’re good at taking and editing pictures, you can still make it work.”

Her faith in me was like a shot of adrenaline. It was a Sunday, so finding an open salon was impossible. My birthday was the next day so there wasn't any time to waste. I turned YouTube, searching “DIY wig straightening and installation.” Pinterest became my mood board for aesthetic inspiration.

I set to work: hair, makeup, nails; check. I arranged my LED light, fixed up my iPhone, and got to snapping.

Ladies and gentlemen, I saved the day! The pictures I took reflected everything I wanted; poise, beauty, and authenticity. They captured me.

Today is my birthday, and I am truly happy. Grateful for life, family, and friends.

I later told my friend about the original shoot: “I won’t be using those pictures. I don’t like them, and my family doesn’t either. Please don’t be upset, I’m not mad at you either.”

And I meant it. She’s human, juggling a business, and I appreciated her effort. But I knew it would be people-pleasing to force myself to use pictures I wasn’t proud of.

At the end of the day, no one was at fault. What mattered was that I turned things around. A special shout-out to the real MVP, my mother—the hero who ensured my birthday would be one of joy, not tears.

This is my first write-up as a 23-year-old woman! Cheers to many more years of growth, grace, and self-love. 🥂

Below are some of the pictures from the photoshoot I did for myself. All pictures were taken with my iPhone 7 and LED 600 light.

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