There is nothing like celebrating a birthday to show you just how many people care about you both near and far. It’s something we often forget about the other 364 days out of the year. 24 was a great year, but I am looking forward to 25 so much more. Everyone keeps asking me how I feel and if I feel older. The answer is yes. I do feel older, but I also want to act older. Your 20’s are supposed to be some of your best years and I’m halfway with so much more to look forward to, but at the same time at 25, I want to be more confident, more assertive, and of course making better decisions for myself and my life. Not a bad plan, right? The 25 year old me is already so different! I always used to emphasize celebrating birthday month and birthday week in high school and college and I’m glad to see that that hasn’t stopped. I felt really spoiled this week by having Kevin visiting, eating out non-stop, and catching up with so many great friends especially ones that happened to be in town from college which I didn’t expect. My former manager even baked me the most delicous cake on my birthday! My only request? Candles, pls! It used to be one of my favorite parts about my birthday and as you get older you kind of stop doing that.

Earlier this week, I was checking out the top posts like I normally do and saw near the top my throwback post that I wrote when I celebrated turning 20. It’s funny to look back on this and remember that back then I had no idea what was going to be in store for me. I didn’t know what living outside of a dorm would like or what graduating college looked like or what having a job would look like. Five years ago… I was a child, basically. I guess the reason why I’ve been blogging for so long is so that I can have moments like these.

Thank you so much to all of my friends and family who made my 25th birthday so wonderful.

And a bonus photo of the birthday card my lovely parents sent me. Adorableness.