Today, I am 25 years old. And I was dreading this birthday. I wasn't in the South of France like last year…and it was a Monday…and I'm getting old. But it was a fabulous few days full of celebrations, loving friends and family, and incredible adventures here in Nashville!
Saturday night, I let Bizzell convince me to have a small girls dinner to celebrate my birthday. You can't go wrong with friends, mexican food, and margaritas. So it was a small, sweet celebration and I thought that was enough!
Sunday my parents wanted to take me to an early celebratory dinner around 5:30 since they have Bible Study at 7:30 on Sunday nights. I thought nothing of it…and they picked me up in style!
We have a delicious, and I mean delicious, meal at Rolf and Daughters. I highly recommend it.
When we got almost back to my house, they wanted to see our back yard (and my dad mow had just mowed our lawn, so I figured he wanted to see how it looked). But then they asked if they could see this "green, eco friendly" house where I have been babysitting. I still thought nothing of it. When I finally walked in the door, "SURPRISE" screamed about 25 friends!!
I was completely and utterly shocked. Apparently this invitation was totally fitting :)
It was so fun…my mom had been coordinating with Camille and Bizzell to plan the whole thing!
On my actual birthday, I woke up and ate cake for breakfast and kicked off a lovely day. Bread & Company with my Mama. A brand new red bicycle from my parents. Poolside chats with friends. A walk to Bobbie's Dairy Dip.
And then, Camille and I embarked on a biking adventure. It was so fun, until I almost died of dehydration at the end. But I can't wait for many more explorations on our bikes! And, to conclude the bike trip, we met friends at Local Taco for a yummy dinner.
We barely made it home in time for The Bachelorette viewing party, but we spent more time preparing our airport outfits than we did watching the show.
And then, we went to the airport, decked out, to welcome Emily home from a year in China!! (And having emily home is a MAJOR birthday present in general!)
We could not have timed it more perfectly, because we got home just in time to watch the rose ceremony with friends! As if this hadn't already been enough fun and excitement, Camille wanted to get Chick-fil-a so I figured since it was my birthday, I'd accompany her for a late night milkshake. Not only did I get a delicious milkshake, but we acquired a new (FREE!) pull out couch for the love dungeon.
One aspect of my birthday that I have really missed out on being abroad so many birthdays is how nice it is to get calls and texts and be able to catch up with so many friends, near and far, on this day! Technology allowed for some fun birthday messages from afar…videos of my favorite babysitting kids singing, my siblings eating cake in my honor, and hilarious messages from friends around the world!
I may not be in an exotic place, but these past few days have been a solid reminder that I live in a wonderful place with rich community and thoughtful friends! Here's to 25!
xoxo
