A beautiful birthday!

This past weekend, I entered the mystical realm of my twenties. The weekend was filled with numerous blessings and wonderful people. 


In planning my weekend, I knew there were a few things I knew I wanted to accomplish: First, it was important to me to spend time with as many of my friends as possible. I've been non-stop since Spring Break, and my heart was really aching to be with my dear sisters in Christ whom I'd been neglecting. Secondly, I knew I wanted to be outdoors. The threat of tornados and thunderstorms would not deter me from making plans. And lastly (thought certainly not least), I wanted to be sure that I was emphasizing the blessings the Lord has given to me through prayer and gratitude to God. 


Friday evening, I was blessed with the opportunity to have many of my closest friends come to my home (my "home-home"-- where my parents live) to celebrate. Though the original plan of a bonfire was rained (hailed, tornado-ed, etc) out, we cozily sat in the living room, sharing life, and fun (and hysterical) stories. (My mother may or may not have recounted the story of my birth.)


It was exactly what I needed. I have no pictures, but let's just chalk that up to having too much fun to even think of it. The highlight of my evening by far-- in fact, probably one of my most favorite and special memories-- was praying Magnificat evening prayer, by candlelight, with the women still remaining (including my mother) a few minutes before midnight. There was something profound to me about being in prayer with my beautiful sisters, and hearing their incredible prayers and voices raised to the Lord, as I turned twenty.

The next day, there was no evidence of the previous day's storms. I loaded up the car and headed to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA with 3 of my close friends.

 Mary, me, Emma, and KG in front of the chapel.

 Laughter was certainly a common theme of the day. I love laughing pictures. Aren't they beautiful??

 My dream lunch. Seriously. Mary's homemade chicken salad (complete with grapes and apples... delicious!) and Emma's homemade egg salad made for the perfect picnic.  After this, we passed out on the blanket for a little nap. I wish I had taken a picture of our surroundings, because it was beautiful... lakes, trees, hills. (We drove around a great deal to find the perfect picnic spot.)

 No trip to Callaway is complete without visiting the butterflies! I love the colors in this picture, KG looks so focused!

 Upon returning home, my roommates prepared a delicious dinner. (Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, cesear salad, squash... YUM!) We enjoyed each other's company, and reminisced over this past year as roommates.

 The spread. Complete with beautiful flowers from one of my friends!

 The evening with my roommates ended with blowing out the candles on a fruit pizza. Shortly after this, I was peacefully slumbering, content after an unforgettable birthday.

But the celebrations weren't over yet... On Sunday evening, I went home for birthday dinner with my family (with my favorite... Zuchinni pie!)

My mom made me her famous cake with her homemade buttercream frosting. I am one spoiled individual. Have you ever heard of such a birthday?! My family and friends love me a whole lot... Praise the Lord for their constant support!

I would say this birthday exceeded my goals above and beyond my imagination. 20 is looking pret-tay good so far!

P.S. Be sure to check out (and follow!) my new blog, Letters From a Teepee! Thank you, beautiful blog readers, for continuing to read my ramblings! God Bless you all!