Happy Birthday to Me!

10 years ago I was sitting at the PubII with my friends and family celebrating my 21st birthday. I was finally LEGAL! I remember being so excited, yet a bit terrified, of the night to come. I remember vividly that my first shot was Goldschlagers. I HATED Goldschlagers so guess who took the shot for me? My DAD!!! For the record, my dad isn't a big drinker (he loves his O'douls though!) I think he felt it was his responsibility to prevent me from doing shots on my 21st. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to take that shot. But, unfortunately for him, 21 shots followed (after my parents left)!

Well, 10 years later, I turned 31! Wow, how different one's life can change in 10 years. I moved out of Bloomington and lived in Boston, Chicago, Schaumburg, Lombard, Tower Lakes, and Lake Zurich. I have lived with some fabulous girls that will be lifelong friends. I met my wonderful husband at a dumpy bar in Wrigleyville, we actually fell in love (despite the fact that he told me he was an FBI agent), moved out of the city (moved in with one of my besties, Katie), got engaged, got married, moved a few times (3!), and had our beautiful baby girl! I can't believe what a DRASTIC change my life has undergone since my 21st birthday. I LOVED my college years, but I LOVE my life even more now!

Last weekend, we went out to celebrate my 31st with friends and family. There weren't any shots of Goldschlagers, or any shots for that matter. It was a great time with friends and family. I am so, so lucky to have such great ones! Every year, they make the effort to celebrate the birth of me! It's usually blizzard-like conditions, but that doesn't stop them.

What would my birthday be like without Matt trying to sing with the band? At least this time they didn't unplug the microphone.