For my older brother's 18th birthday 5 years ago, my mum and I had the genius idea of taping up his bedroom door with birthday banners so he couldn't get out without crawling under them, and putting balloons outside. I was talking to my mum about this a few days before my birthday as we laughed about it - although I did clearly tell her she wasn't allowed to do that for me, given that I live up 2 flights of stairs and she had broken her foot the week before!! However.....
After I eventually managed to climb out (which was not a pretty sight I can tell you!!), I went downstairs and was showered with lots of lovely presents from my family. I'm not sure who was more excited about this part - me, or my little brother and sisters!
Two of the most meaningful things I got given were from my mum and they were actually cards! She'd spent a lot of time in the run up to my birthday going through old photos and they became a recurring theme throughout the day. She'd uploaded some to Moonpig and had two cards made for me, one from her and one 'from' my younger siblings. She also gave me a photo album filled with pictures from my childhood that I didn't manage to get a picture of on the day, but I can assure you that the pictures inside are even more embarrassing than the ones on these cards!
As my parents are divorced, I arranged to see my dad for breakfast so we could have a catch up and once again, there were a few more presents! We had a good giggle and a slightly bizarre combination of foods, but hey, if you can't have a sausage sandwich and champagne for breakfast on your birthday, when can you?!
Breakfast was followed up by a trip to the hairdressers, where I had my hair washed, blowdried and curled, a luxury I don't think of doing often. I'm a bit awful when it comes to getting my hair done - that was actually the first time I'd been to the hairdressers since getting my hair all chopped off last year! All of the people in the salon were lovely and they even gave me a free serum for my hair as a birthday present, how sweet of them! 
After the hairdressers, we made a whistle-stop tour to Bath, where mum had booked me an appointment at the Benefit counter to have my make up done for me. I felt a bit awkward taking a picture of that part of the day so here is a picture of my lunch at The Cosy Club, which was delicious. After lunch, we did a little bit of shopping and then came home again, chatting all the way!
Once I was home, I quickly changed into my new jeans and went to meet my dad at my old primary school so we could pick up his children and then we went to Homewood Park for afternoon tea. There was a lovely array of cakes and scones and mini sandwiches, it was like a little tea party!
...And of course they had to get me some balloons, so that everyone there knew it was my birthday!! My favourite was the cupcake one, it's so cute!
Okay, so here is where a bit of explaining is necessary. I'd essentially told my mum I didn't mind what I did on my birthday as long as she kept it a surprise - not that that stopped me from asking questions!
I eventually managed to get her to tell me that we were going to my favourite Italian restaurant for tea so I arranged to meet a few friends at a place nearby to go for cocktails later in the evening. However, when I got to the restaurant for dinner, I had a little surprise waiting for me in the form of 10 of my closest friends, all wearing masks of my face singing happy birthday to me?!?!?!
It was one of the most surreal moments of my life. My friend Ruth actually filmed a little 'behind the scenes' of them all milling around with the masks on and when they come out to surprise me, I turn away and tell 'MAKE IT STOP IT'S HIDEOUS' - how charming Megan!
That being said, it was one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me - once everyone took their masks off. Even my some of my friends who had said they couldn't make it out for cocktails for perfectly legitimate reasons (ie. One of my best friends had an exam the next day!), they still came along. I can't thank my best friend Antonia enough for working behind the scenes with my mum to arrange it all, although I'm still holding a grudge that she managed to lie to me about it so well!
Anyway, as you can see from this photo, there were even more old photos on a giant banner at the restaurant and everything was decorated in light/navy blue, my two favourite colours. We spent the rest of the evening there, eating delicious Italian food and probably drinking a bit too much Prosecco! However, it is safe to say that by the end of the night, I was a little bit sick of seeing my own face everywhere I looked!!
Even though she knows I don't really like cake, my mum even ordered this gorgeous make up themed cake for me, and the waiters added a swan made from an apple and a rose made from a strawberry before they brought it over which I thought was so lovely!
There are lots and lots more photos from the night on my Instagram (@McMahonMegan) but I just had to include this one. This photo is one of the rare moments where my lovely mother is pictured with all of her 5 children. Yes, 5 children! And she still had time to do all of this - and with a broken foot?! She honestly blows me away with her constant love and support. She really is my best friend. 
And just to end this post on a funny note, here is a snapchat my best friend Sophie (
Well, if that wasn't the longest post ever, I'd hate to see what is!! But I just had to share with you all, and with myself when I want to come back to this in later years, what a truly incredible day I had for my 18th birthday. I felt like I was glowing from how loved I felt! Again, thank you to everyone who I was lucky enough to spend the day with, and also to anyone who wished me a happy birthday on my social media accounts!
I hope at the very least, the sight of so many people wearing masks of my face gave you a bit of a chuckle!!
Aw seems like you had a lot of fun. Glad you had a great birthday xx
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Thank you lovely! x
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