Thirty One: Part I

I honestly don't remember the last time I did something as a group for my birthday. It's probably been 3 or 4 years. I usually prefer to spend the day alone reading, shopping, getting a manicure, and having a nice little meal. Then Dustin and I usually do something and that's that. This year I'm not sure what came over me but I decided it would be fun to get some friends and my work family together for lunch. My only request is that everyone dress in some kind of flag attire. Red, white, and blue! It was so cool seeing what everyone came up with. I had to buy Dustin a shirt but he was all for it since it has the Millennium Flacon on it. I also bought Pat's shirt which HE PICKED OUT that said "'Merica". He texted me on his way and said "I feel like such a tool." which is when I reminded him that it's what he picked out. I'm sure he'll be wearing it to casual Friday at work in no time. 

Katie wanted a drink since she was flying kid-free and went with a mimosa since it was only 12:30. Then Antonia and Amanda come in ordering super fancy drinks. Katie said "I would've gone with a better drink had I known other people would be drinking!!". Just because Dustin and I don't drink doesn't mean our friends can't get their alcohol on. Ha! 

We all enjoyed our giant meals and of course cheesecakes. Mmm! I'm still day dreaming about that Caramel Apple Cheesecake (a la mode thank you very much). We're getting married and going on a honeymoon to Cheesecake Land. We can't be bothered.

I specifically told everyone I didn't want any gifts, just a super patriotic meal. The dingleberries all gave me gifts. So sweet, so unnecessary. I really loved it all. 

We stood annoyingly in the front of Cheesecake Factory and took photos because shit needs to be documented. Everyone went home except The Benton Family stopped by our house first. We played Catch Phrase and Cards Against Humanity until Addilyn was ready to head home. 

This was the Sunday of the Pulse shooting so I had a lot of feelings going on in my emotional head. I was so happy because we had just seen Thrice the night before and I spent a lovely lunch with some of my favorite people. But then of course the tragedy in Orlando hung heavy as well. And then that night the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. It was certainly the most bittersweet weekend of all time. But there was still more good than bad. Always more good than bad.