Live long and prosper

Today was my birthday.  Normally I ignore my birthday at all costs.  Most people don't know when my birthday is and I generally refuse to tell them.  It's easier and less complicated and embarrassing that way.  Plus less disappointment when things go horribly wrong.

Today it got me thinking of all my most memorable birthdays (both good and bad).  I've had some epically awful birthday memories and some great ones:

• 12th: My friends and I went to see The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in theaters.  Yeah, I was obsessed.... and still am...
• 18th: I had to work at good ol' Coldstone Creamery followed by a "date" with a guy who made all sorts of promises and said that he was my new boyfriend but who only really wanted a one-night stand.  When he found out it wouldn't happen, I never heard from him again.  Literally.  And to make it even better, my family didn't celebrate my birthday until exactly one month later because it was the earliest we could get everyone together.
• 19th: One of my best friends from back home "had something come up" when we were supposed to hang out the night before my birthday and the other lied that he had to work because he was depressed.  On my birthday the next day, the later friend attempted to commit suicide which was only saved because he brother found him.  Then my roommates felt obligated to throw a birthday party which half of them didn't attend and the other half only stayed long enough to get cake and then disappeared to their rooms.
• 20th: For the first time ever I had friends who actually threw me a party because they wanted to and not just out of obligation because they were my roommates.  No matter how silly the gifts were and how simple and small the party was, it was one of the best nights ever and I cried afterwards because I was so touched by their genuine kindness and friendship.
• 22nd:  It was a rather normal day with only some simple festivities but for once, I was fine with people knowing that it was my birthday and not entirely embarrassed about it.  Even when Hans and I went to Texas Roadhouse, I would have been fine with the workers knowing that it was my birthday (and secretly I was kind of hoping for it) although it didn't happen.  The evening was filled with good food, simple moments and special friends.  For the first time ever, I got to spend my birthday with a real boyfriend who is actually here.  Nothing (so far) beats that.

 Our family does have some pretty awesome traditions that do need to mentioned.  For instance, we always play a group game (chosen by the person with the birthday) which involves prizes for everyone at the end of the game.  They're usually cheap prizes that are sometimes silly, but they are fun nonetheless.  The birthday person also gets to choose what they want for their birthday dinner.  And last but certainly not least, there's the cake.  The birthday cake is always decorated to represent either something important to the person or something that has happened recently in their life (or soon will).  For instance, we've had such cake toppers as chocolate chess sets (William), chocolate smurfs (Robyn?), a campfire (with dirt mixed in with the frosting under our bonfire of candles - Mom), tombstones (Mom's over-the-hill), cars (Dad and William), graduation ones, soccer (Rob), dance and cheer ones (mine), Germany-themed (for my study abroad), an epic geology ice cream cake (which also included Robyn's new car) and a huge smurf party scene that covered an entire sheet cake plus some for Mom's 50th surprise party!  (If you are interested in pictures of any of them, let me know and I'll find them when I go back home.)  We may not be professional cake makers or decorators, but we make it work and we enjoy it!  They're definitely traditions that I want to continue someday when I have my own family.

Yeah, the joy of birthdays is finally taking hold...

Thank you to all those who gave me birthday wishes and for those who made my day just wonderful, specifically Hans.  Thank you for helping me enjoy my birthday and not be embarrassed about it.

Stepping stones in life . . .

After debating for many years about whether I should ever create a blog, I have finally decided to take a leaf out of my sister's book and start my own.

Yesterday was a momentous day.  One of my oldest and dearest companions and friends got engaged.  We've been through practically everything together.  Even in the beginning, we were best pals.

And even with the 2 1/2 year age difference, we were practically twinners.  For Halloween....

 And Christmas....

And family pictures.

From matching toys...

 To hunting frogs together...

To making giant snow/ice slides...

And jumping off the roof onto the trampoline...

We've been friends through it all.

Though she's engaged and will be married in 83 days (according to Marc), I hope nothing will change between us.  She will still always be one of my best friends and will always be the greatest and the best sister ever!  Marc is a great guy and I couldn't be happier for them both!  I know he will make her happy.  When she just looks at him, she practically glows especially since yesterday's engagement (although she totally denies it).  I wish them the best of luck and the happiest days and years to come!  I love you, Robyn!

A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves

and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double.  

~Toni Morrison