Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, it's official - I've been alive for a full quarter century, and I have to say it feels pretty good. My birthday was actually last Friday, February 12 - a day shared with a few famous characters, including Charles Darwin, Abe Lincoln and Judy Blume. I guess you could say I've got a lot to live up to.

Anyways, this year I was a bit... well... not ready for the big jump to 25. I had issues turning 20 as well (I think it's a 5-year anxiety). But 25 is a number which I viewed as a 12 year old as an age when people have their lives figured out. And I clearly don't. Which I'm okay with for now- it's just a little reminder that time's still ticking.

Anyways, I'm writing to tell you about the most wonderful surprise I received the day before my birthday at a family gathering for dinner at our old favorite, Cafe Normandie. I arrived late and flustered, straight from yoga, hair soaking wet from my shower and nearly frozen in icicles in the post-blizzard air. I sat down in the most out-of-reach chair at the round table by instruction from my mother and was just settling in when I looked up - my Niklas casually walked in, glass of wine in hand, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And considering he flew in that afternoon without my knowing from around the world - London to be exact - it was far from natural.

this is the face of pure joy

Words cannot describe what an incredible surprise this was for me - and finding out in the next 5 minutes that everyone seemed to be in on it (including Cafe Normandie's entire staff) astounded me even more. But you said you were playing pool with Adrian I stammered. It's amazing what can escape you when you're not tuned in to every word - although it also helps that I'm pretty gullible when it comes to these things.

It was a shock to see him, in a good way of course. And yes, it had only been since early December that we'd been apart, but 2 months can feel like forever sometimes. And as so many can attest, having a long distance relationship is more often than not really tough.

my birthday dinner entourage, who braved the cold and banks of snow from near and far

So without the life plan that some (most??) 25-year olds have, I joined the club of quarter-centurers and got to celebrate with someone who flew 3,644 miles just for the occasion and my amazing friends and family who all made it a truly fabulous weekend.