A 23rd Birthday Story

I had no idea what to expect of today. As usual, I knew there'd be some chaos, some delays, but I don't think I stopped smiling today. :)

To prep the week my family was here for graduation this weekend and it was a blast! Stressful in a sense yes, and a bagillion pictures, but it made me feel so special that everyone was there. I went downtown to meet some friends that evening (leaving the fam at home) and the guy at Mother's Tavern says "Cover is 10 bucks no discounts tonight" without even looking up at me as I hand him my ID. He stares at it for a few seconds and I'm shuffling my feet and he looks at his watch then at me and says "It's two days til your birthday, you can get in free" and waves me in. How fun! I wasn't out long considering I got there past midnight but I just wanted to see my friends and old roommie.

Today was amazing. I woke up and finished my paper and sent it off while talking to a few people online and making silly jokes. Took a shower. Met Dan and Melissa for lunch at Gus' and had so much fun in the presence of good company. Dan I am so glad we are such great friends...how looking back I can see all the times you guys were there for me and I appreciate it a lot. Melissa I love to see our friendship grow...so you'll be in Chicago...that doesn't have to change anything.

Of course I completely overlooked the time and when we parted ways I raced home to everything I hadn't packed or prepared yet for my road trip to the bay area. I was slightly stressing until I walked up my driveway to see flowers on the doormat. So beautiful! Thanks Mom! I carried them inside, tidied up the house a bit and threw things into bags without really taking time to decide what I'd need and didn't need. I stuck clothes in the dryer before heading out and paused in front of the sink of dirty dishes before deciding I really couldn't take care of them right then.

I do a scan of my room and realize that Fish is just swimming around his bowl and I'm thinking oh no. I can't think of anyone in town off the top of my head until I pick up the phone and call up Will. :) So Fish won't starve now thanks to more good friends. Thank you Will! Although your face when you picked it up questioningly made me laugh. That Fish is special...he knows all my secrets!

Off to pick up things for Sabrina and Amy and I jet out of town to Fremont. The drive up was filled with hellos from Julie, Cameron, Kyle, and Tyler. I had to call Sabi because I realized that I had no idea how to get to Olive Garden myself LOL. It worked out perfectly really. I got there 15 minutes before 7:30 (my rescheduled time lol) and people showed up in a timely manner. A lot of my friends also don't know each other. That's how I role lol...new people, new friends for you. :)

Dinner was amazing! Not necessarily the food though it was good...but I couldn't stop smiling thank you all for such a wonderful evening. The stories kept me laughing and I found out something new about everyone for the most part. I recall sitting there letting all the chatter well up around me drinking my margarita and just lost in my own thoughts about how everyone came together to this one moment. In other words, you are all from such different backgrounds and with different interests and yet you come together at this time and place together. And my life has been touched by each and everyone one of you in different ways...we have a history and a story and an ongoing friendship that...makes me smile.

Thanks to everyone who came out again! It means more than you know. :)

And thanks Sam for the roof over my head, internet access, and jenga. Wish me luck on my summer house hunt this week! :P