Happy Birthday to ME.

This morning, the morning of my 26th Birthday, do you know what I woke up to find?

This lovely lady making the best birthday breakfast of ever for me!

Renee, one of my roommates and also one of my most favorite ladies ever made birthday pancakes for me!

Chocolate chip pancakes, complete with strawberries and homemade whipped cream! Also, bacon. That nearly overshadows the pancakes, because, well, bacon.

And yes, it tasted as good as it looks. What a great start to my birthday!

Give Me Stuff!

YOU GUYS.

I turn 26 in a week. ONE WEEK. One year further into adulthood.

Don't worry. This won't be one of those "OMG I'm an adult I'm getting old somebody help me" posts.

This will be one of those "It's my birthday soon, so give me stuff" posts.

The following are acceptable birthday gifts:

•  An all-expenses paid vacation, preferably to a place that looks like this:

 

•  A boyfriend who looks and dresses like this:

• A new phone, because mine is a piece of garbage.
• New bedding for my bed, preferably some that doesn't look like I bought it a bajillion years ago.
• A new car. I'll take this one, please:

 

I know I gave you short notice on this, so it's okay if they're a little late.

Things I Learned When I Was 24

(My birthday was last Tuesday. I turned 25.)

• Protect your heart. But not too much. If you're too protective, you'll shut out the ones who really care about you.
• It's okay to be lonely.
• It's okay to make mistakes. They're not the end of the world. Try your best. Apologize sincerely if you hurt someone. Most of the time people will be able to forgive your mistakes.
• Sometimes, life hurts. 
• You can do more than you think you can.
• You will lose people you love. And it will hurt. Badly. And the most random things will remind you of them and send tears down your face. It's okay to cry.
• God wants you to enjoy His creation. Get off your phone or computer and GO OUTSIDE.

25 is going to be AWESOME. I just know it.