Celebrating my 19th Birthday

As luck would have it, my birthday fell on the day that I would have to fly back to campus. I was disappointed to think that I would be spending the majority of my day in the airport, on a plane, and then in the car driving back to campus.

Actually, it turned out to be perfect!!!

Not only did I get the benefits of special treatment from my parents, but I also got to celebrate with friends back home and friends here at school. I know a lot of kids are pretty disappointed to have their birthday during school because then you just get a "Happy Birthday!" in passing, maybe a card or two (versus the tons of attention that parents give to you throughout the day- not too mention when mom makes your favorite meals!)

I was so happy to have my family around to make the weekend all about me. I got to pick where we ate and what activities we did! This included a visit to PF Chang's for my Chinese food fix and to Cristina's for my favorite Mexican dish before having to head back to Iowa. We also spent Saturday night in an intense game of 500 (a card game involving partners, lots of strategy, and of course, lots of "table-talk"- aka, lively banter that you could only get away with in the presence of family!) My mom, sister, and I also got to spend a majority of the weekend shopping- always a plus!

My actual birthday was yesterday- the 13th. And, instead of a boring flight and car ride, my sister made it totally amusing! She decided to tell everyone in the airport that it was my special day- this included security guards, the ladies in Starbucks (who broke out in a beautiful, jazzy version of Happy Birthday), and even the pilot of our plane- who proceeded to announce it over the intercom for everyone to hear and look at me. Not that I revel in attention, but who wouldn't be flattered by that?!?

Then, we got to stop in Rochester on our way back to campus for dinner at Olive Garden with some other friends also heading back to campus. It was great to taste my favorite meals one more time before returning to the caf!

Upon arriving at campus, happy with the way the day turned out, and sad it was over, I made it to my door.......when I opened it, my five closest friends were there with presents, a birthay banner, and tons of food! It was AWESOME!!! I was shocked that they went to all the trouble that they did! It made me feel so special and it totally reminded me of how lucky I am to have stumbled on such a sweet, amazing group of friends (they deserve to have their names mentioned: Allison, Christy, Emma, Ryan, and Taylor)- I know that I'll have them forever, no doubt in my mind. I want them in my life (and not just because of last night's excitement!)

Even Luther College came through for me- today in my SPO was a note for a cake baked by the Women's League- mmm, mmm angel food!

Birthdays are always great, but never have I gotten to experience one with both my home friends and family and my new college friends (basically family) too. It has been utterly fantastic!

I hope everyone can take a second to appreciate the gifts in their lives: family, friends, and all of their loved ones.

Have a great week!


"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not sne his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." -John 3: 16-17
I hope everyone had a happy and blessed Easter!