24...

No, not the ever-so-popular mini-series on TV. It just happens to be the age that became mine on September 6, 2006. Ah, the ripe ole' age of 24. I can hardly believe it myself. It's so strange, all of my friends when we were growing up, were all older than me. We were all in the same grade, lived minutes from eachother, yet they were all a year older. Recently, when they turned 24 it didn't seem like a huge deal at all. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY - I LOVE YOU _________(insert name)!" and you go about your day. Now that we all have our own lives, live in our own towns, and drive to our own jobs everyday, life just seemed to stop at 18. That day we all graduated high school. Remember those days when every single year you couldn't wait till your birthday? When how old you were always had "and a half" behind it. You just had to make sure that everyone knew you were closer to 15 than you were to your current 14! I certainly do. Now, it's completely different. Turning 24, has really made me look back and not so much focus on the the past or think about the 23 years on this earth, blah blah blah, but rather. I think of those who really went out to really think of me on this day, this year. First, if you know me at all, you won't judge me by my closet! I'm not materialistic at all, in fact, if someone said "Would you give it all up tomorrow?" "Of course" would be my answer. These things just don't seem to matter at all anymore to me. So I guess 24 has made me pay attention to the details...Let me explain.

First let's talk my best friend, going on almost 17 years now. From the first grade this girl has been apart of my life in a BIG way. She left a message on myspace just saying simply saying "Happy Birthday", but then there was the part about "but I won't be that girl who just messages you, I'm calling you!" She didn't have to call, the message would have been sufficient enough. But she did, just as she said she would and we laughed like we always do. She thought of me and knew how much that call would mean to me. I love you Loren.

My sister called me on her way home from work and sang me a lil' happy birthday tune. I love when she reverts back into the silly big sister that I grew up with. I adore you Steph.

My mom paid a much needed cell phone bill and got me a new phone that no longer needs a rubber band to keep it working. That is something special right there!! It's not a Razor or a Q phone, is a Samsung, and it was $9.95. Now that's what I'm talking about! I don't need a camera phone, a video phone, or a small laptop phone. I just want to call you and for you to be able to call me. Thanks Mom. I love you.

My dad gave me some money to get what I wanted, not what I needed. His words exactly, "...and you can come work for me around the house to get what some money for what you need." Sweet deal. I loved it.

My friends texted messaged me, called, and myspaced - I can truly thank that "New Birthday's" reminder feature for most, but even then, those who had the time to take out of there busy lives to send me just the smallest of "HB" messages found a little spot in my heart. Thank you guys, it really did mean so much!

My new, and dearest friend Ashley, came over, when she was so busy, foudn the time to come and fix my hair for my big surprise date with Colin. Once again, If you know me, my hair has pretty much been the same my entire life, and I have finally met a girl who knows what she is doing and made me feel like a million bucks with some simple bobby pins. Love you Ashley.

At church that night, my beloved friend Britni brought me a bag of goodies that basically made me want to start a Carnival in my living room! Silly Putty, PlayDough, Slinky and "Cheeckup" the squirell all came complete with a card that got soaked from tears. Oh how I love her.

My sister-in-law Jami took me out for a smoothie and some shopping at Wal-Mart with her little one, Selah. It doesn't matter what we do, we always have a great time. I cherish you James.

And then there were two...

Colin (as you know) is from California and thus is where his family abide. I love this family! His mother, father, and sister went out of their way to send me a birthday package, that arrived on the day, on the dot!! Inside a heavily bubbled and sealed package was an array of sketchbooks, and a set of charcoal pencils and sticks. And I'm not talking "Willow", I'm talking the GOOD STUFF! What a blessing, those gifts could not have come at a better time. Trying to find the motivation for taking time out to sketch and play is hard, but with these tools it makes it a lot easier. I can truly say when I saw what was inside and more so who it was from, tears surfaced once again. What a precious family. I love you Cindy, Paul and Amber and miss you so much.

And then that leaves the only man in my life that truly takes my breath away time and time again. Colin's gift was the gift of surprise and suspense. And that it was, one surprise after another, after another. On Wednesday, (the 6th) we both had church to attend to that evening, so we decided to push any plans till the following night. I was only told what to wear and what time to wear it. 7:30 PM sharp and we were off. The entire time I am thinking, "where are we going!?!" We arrived at the "Bedford Social Club" home of our first date, our friend Ryan as our server, and quite possibly the best food in VIRGINIA!! We were escorted to a private table (above all the other tables) candles surrounding us, and a bottle of white wine chilling by our side. Picture perfect. After dinner and "staring into each other’s eyes" as our friend Ryan says, we were served a candle topped scoop of toffee/coffee ice cream, complete with a Steve/Ryan/Colin serenading "Happy Birthday" in perfect pitch. Back home, Circus Peanuts and Bubble Gum Balls (a gigantic jar of them!) completed the evening. I couldn't have dreamed a better ending to the perfect the night, alone with the man I love, holding hands, saying goodnight, and wishing time would just stop right here, right now. He had thought of every detail, not a single one was left out. He even made me believe we were going places he had NO intention of taking me. He is so wonderful in so many ways, and I can't thank him, or all those others that I love so dearly, enough for making this truly an outstanding celebration. It was exactly that, a "happy" 24th birthday.