23

It was my birthday July 13th, I turned 23.


I don't usually look forward to birthdays. They're tough for two main reasons. Usually they designate getting a year older, and often times I look back and wonder whether I did much of significance in the past year. I  think, what in 365 days did I do to better myself, honor my God, and increase my territory?

Fortunately for me this year I could answer that question with a positive response. Among a number of things I will not go into all of, I was able to go on a month and a half long trip backpacking through Europe with my brothers, seeing sites that I have always longed to, and will remember for the rest of my life. I also read much, wrote much, learned much, got a phenomenal job, furthered relationships, and pursued much I feel to be of great benefit.

Kaydrie was apt to remind me that I also got married this year ("NBD" I say).

So I didn't have to be sad on that account, but here comes the second birthday downer.

Birthday's are tough because I want (as I imagine most people do) to feel really special for my birthday. I want to feel appreciated and valued. I have to battle with that because it seems slightly loserish to desire warm fuzzies clearly based on other peoples pats on the back, but there it is nonetheless.

It feels awesome to have people recognize you and say, "This is a really great guy" (to borrow Haman's words from VeggieTales Esther).

But this is kinda tough to pull off when you're not 7 anymore :). As I expressed these thoughts to Kaydrie she encouraged me to try and plan something anyway. "You get the people," she said, "I'll get the food."

So I invited a bunch of people over last minute hoping that something would happen, but not really believing that a bunch of people would take time last minute, to show up on a Wednesday night to hang out for a 23rd birthday party some guy was throwing for himself (I know, lame right?)

I was wrong.

I felt so appreciative and appreciated as virutally everybody showed up, about a dozen people came over including a number of guys with their families. I KNOW they have a lot going on in their lives, and yet they took time out of their weeks to celebrate with me. It was a blast. I am really thankful to all the people who did stuff for me and got stuff for me

The night before my family threw a little something for me, we ate ribs and the kids bought me some gifts. I had a coworker who baked me something, all these people came over, we played a game of wiffle ball, everybody brought burgers, brats, and beer, I was overwhelmed with the efforts that were made on my behalf.

Thanks everybody for being a part of this. It was an awesome birthday.

I've invluded pictures of a few of the gifts that I received. I couldn't quite choose what I liked best...

 An amazing bottle of wine.

 

A Starbucks gift card (clutch right?)

A Cuban cigar.

A gorgeous Skagen watch from my aunts and uncles.

 A zucchini bread (Don't you dare hate!)

My birthday present to myself. It's a history of the 1st Crusade.

Finally, this is a steering column that my brother Jordan found in an abandoned car behind our house, ripped out of the automobile carcase, and dragged a quarter mile back to the house to give me. It's proudly positioned in my garden right now.