I'm Feeling 22..

My real birthday happened to fall, luckily, on Derick's only day off of the week.  And it also, luckily, happened to be the first sunny day here in Minnesota since I've been here--unless you count the extremely random 100 degree weather day a few days after we got here, other than that the weather has been very dreary and cold.   Everything created a recipe for a perfect birthday.

-The day before my birthday Derick took me out to Panera Bread for an early lunch.  This was my absolute favorite place to eat when I lived in Florida and I have been having major withdrawals over the past couple of years.  The second I saw that we had one near by I knew I had to take Derick there.  Of course it was the best decision to go there for my birthday ;)  I am so glad he was able to take a little extra time off of his work morning to take me out to lunch.

- We had a pizza party on my birthday eve with the best pizza I have ever eaten.  Later,  I went into my room to change and right at midnight barges in Derick, Branson, Susie, and Blake with birthday cake ice cream, with a candle on top, singing Happy Birthday.  We stayed up late listening to music and enjoying each others company.

- I woke up to blueberry muffins and Derick handing me a vase of beautiful flowers.

- I got to go on my very own mini-shopping spree at the Mall of America.  It just so happens that a few years ago my friend told me about how she went there.  I then looked up pictures of it and put shopping there on my bucket list, while thinking why in the world would I ever be in Minnesota? I legit thought I would have to go out of my way to cross this item off of my  list.  Little did I know.. ha!  This mall is way over the top ginormous-- I guess they don't call it the biggest mall in America for no reason! After getting lost dozens of times, walking till our feet hurt, and spending more money than I have in years, we had only seen a small portion of the mall, and we were all shopped out!

-I enjoyed a pool party with all of my friend who are out here.  Miss Blair and Camille had the wonderful idea of renting out the clubhouse pool for the occasion, as well as for Father's day--Brandon is the only guy in the group who is a dad.  It was so nice to have the whole pool and grill area to ourselves.  We ate more food than we could stomach, made delicious smoothies, and played in the pool until our skin looked like prunes.

-I got to Skype my family and enjoy the day by celebrating my dad! I am so happy I was born on Father's day and I love being able to celebrate my birthday on the same day we celebrate my dad every so many years. Having the dad I do makes my birthday that much better every year.  He is amazing.

-Blair made me a delicious home made cake!

-I got so many great gifts in the mail from back home.   My sister surprised me with the 3 movies I watched way way too much as a kid-- I didn't waste any time watching them, and I couldn't believe the amount of memories they brought back! Jillian and I took our obsessions a little too far ;)

- I got to spend the day with the best of friends!

-  And last but certainly not least, I got to spend the day with Derick who spoiled me to no end.  I sure lucked out when I won him over--which I don't know how that happened.  I had voiced to him months ago about how I was worried about my birthday not being very good since we would be so far from home, not knowing what our schedules would look like.  He made absolutely sure that I wouldn't be disappointed and he didn't fail. :)

It was the perfect way to bring in my 22nd year of life and I would not have had it any other way.  Thanks to all who made it so special.