Birthday Week

I recently turned 20. Talk about mid life crisis. I feel like turning 20 was a bigger deal than 16, or 18 combined. I am no longer a teenager, which is both good as well as not so good. I love that I am moving on towards becoming who I want to be, but I hate that my teenage years are over. They were so bittersweet, I learned so much and changed every single day. Those years were just as exhausting and disheartening as they were carefree and full of adventure. I really grew in to the person I am going to be for the rest of my life during those years, and from here on out I am just shaping, trimming, adding and cutting for the rest of my life as I try to create the best possible version of myself as I can. Knowing that I have passed that stage, and can close that chapter of my life is weird. I never really thought the day would come where I am no longer a teenager. But here it is, and here I am, and time just keeps passing as the world spins madly on. Perhaps I will be taken seriously now that I have entered my twenties... or, perhaps not.

After all, like my sweet 16 year old sister told me several times, "How do you expect anyone to take you (a celebrating twenty year old) seriously as you wear a sparkly birthday tiara?" She's probably right. Who cares? Age is just a number. It's my birthday, and I'm 20! I'll do what I want..which includes ridiculous birthday head wear.

I decided that I am initiating a new birthday tradition with this tiara. Although I have a feeling I may be the only one who ever takes part in the celebrating festivities to such an extreme. Birthdays are a big deal in my family, and an even bigger deal to me. I had an awesome birthday week thanks to my lovely friends and family. 

It all began with my best friend Marissa, and our self-declared "Day of Fun".

 We took some fun spring pictures because she recently bought a new lens that she has been dying to experiment with. We had so much fun. Oh! How I adore her! 

We then headed up to our favorite store where Marissa was incredibly patient for hours. (literally.) While I tried on almost every article of clothing in the store looking for the perfect birthday present to myself.

On our way we stopped for a delicious lavender boba, which was truly delicious. Not many people love the stuff as much as I do, but I think I may have successfully passed my obsession on to Marissa.

After shopping, we were exhausted and starving and decided that the only way to appropriately celebrate the end of the semester as well as my birthday is with our famous "Ice cream for dinner" night. So we did just that. Had nothing but some french fries and ice cream for dinner. It is a really fun tradition that Mariss and I take pretty seriously. Don't mess with us when it comes to our Leatherby's. We usually end each semester with a trip to our favorite ice cream store where there is only one rule: Leave your calorie counter and your Jillian Michaels conscience at the door. 

  People usually comment on how impressed they are with the two of us eating most of a sundae of this stature, as we appear to be pretty healthy and fit individuals. But when it comes to good food, Mariss and I have our priorities straight. Which helps us to have our fitness priorities even straighter. (haha)

The next day I played basketball with a good friend of mine for several hours, and if you know me, you know that is one of my favorite things to do. I wish I did it more often to be honest. I went straight from basketball, to rock climbing with my soul mate Jenna. I am not a climber, but she has been trying to get me to climb with her for a while now so we took this Friday to make it happen. It really was so much fun, I cant wait to go again! Jenna was so patient and so encouraging. I just love that girl. She then took me to dinner at a delicious restaurant where she absolutely spoiled me. She knows how much I love good food, and we can definitely appreciate that together. After dinner we saw Jane Eyre, which was absolutely amazing. One of the best films I have seen in a really long time. In fact, I plan on buying it as soon as I can. I still haven't finished the book, which is pathetic, I know. It has taken me 3 months to read..can you believe that? I can't. I am embarrassed to admit it, but to be honest until now I just haven't had the time to devote to reading. Now that school is out, that is going to be different, and I couldn't be more excited to get started on my summer reading list. 

The next day I spent with my mom and sisters, we went shopping, got pedicures, and then went to dinner as a family at one of my favorite restaurants. The Cheesecake Factory! And yes, I really wore my sparkly birthday tiara throughout dinner.

The next day was my real birthday, so all my extended family came over for a picnic and delicious white chocolate coconut birthday cake (thanks to my sweet momma) after church. I wish the weather would have been just a little bit warmer so we could have played in the sunshine, but I have high hopes that the warm weather really is on its way.

I had the best birthday week, seeing as I was completely spoiled by those around me. I have such wonderful friends and family that made my birthday really amazing. So here's to being 20, the beginning of a decade sure to bring a ton of change.. I can't wait!