Feeling… 23.

Hello my lovely friends,

Today I turned 23 years old. Can you believe it? Yeah, me neither.

I always get kind of anxious in anticipation for my birthday. I’m not really sure why. I grew up always feeling like a princess on my birthday so, I guess in some ways, I know that birthdays tend to change as you get older and I’m not ready for that. Have I ever mentioned that my top love languages are quality time and receiving gifts? With that in mind, you can understand my love for birthdays.

I’ve been reflecting on past birthdays today. Some of my most favorite of birthday memories have been when I’m with my whole family and some of my closest friends. I can remember in high school being so excited for my brothers to come home from college to help celebrate. One year, my mom created a mall scavenger hunt and it was such a blast. One year in college all of my best friends came back to school one day early from winter break, just to surprise me for my birthday. They literally popped out of the trunk of a car… I’m pretty sure there were tears involved. My sweet sixteen was spent in the kitchen of Buca Di Bepo, an Italian restaurant on the Plaza. All of my friends and I spent the night singing any and every song we could think of, as loud as we could. How obnoxious. And who can forget their 21st birthday? Well, probably a lot of people. But, I have very fond memories of mine, spent with my brother, sister-in-law and now, hubby!

As I’ve gotten older my birthday is becoming a subtle reminder that I am indeed getting older. I laugh to myself looking back and thinking about my brothers driving all the way home from college to come see their little sister for her birthday. I know I was thankful for it then, but I didn’t realize how blessed I was to spend those moments with my family. I was so spoiled to get that time.

Today, at work I signed for a package. I am so used to signing packages at work I didn’t even realize that this one was addressed to me. I assumed it was for someone else. Then a co-worker of mine read the side of the box and it said, ‘Perishable live plant. Open at once.’ I looked and realized this delivery was for me! I love getting deliveries! I was fully expecting to find flowers or something. I guess I wasn’t sure what I was going to find. It turns our my sweet husband bought me a garden of succulents! They have become a recent obsession of mine. You may think that is kind of a funny gift to give on a birthday. Honestly, that was my first thought. But really, I love it! My husband knows how much I love succulents and he thinks outside of the box. He just wanted to make sure someone at work was going to remember my birthday. I love him so much for not buying me roses but for buying me a succulent garden.

My day has been so full of sweet text messages and Facebook posts. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve gotten emotional over more than one of them. I am so encouraged every year as I realize I truly do have so many people to be thankful for. My friends and my family are the heart and soul of who I am. I am passionate about my Jesus and I am passionate about my friends and family. I owe so much of who I am to the people who have celebrated me today.

I am a strong believer in celebrating birthdays hard. & every year I am so humbled by the people in my life that give me so much to be thankful for. Because I have them, and the hope of Jesus inside my heart, year 23 is going to be just fine.

P.S. Last year on Facebook I wished that this year would bring me a puppy. I ended up with two puppies. I am now afraid to wish for anything else.