I spoke with a couple guys about my blog tonight, which motivated me to make a brief update. (It's nearly 1am, so I won't write long.) My birthday was this past week. When my friends asked what I wanted to do, I simply asked to go out to a nice dinner and play games after. That didn't specifically happen ON my birthday; however, my birthday was on a Wednesday this year, which is our small group night. Instead of our weekly trip to Village Inn for Bible study and free pie, a few of us went to dinner. It was me and four guys (go figure). We had sushi, which I haven't had in quite some time. I especially enjoyed the spicy tako (octopus) salad. Yum!
After dinner we went over to Starbucks. I know, I know... I think I've gotten a bad rap as a Starbucks girl. I actually enjoy supporting more local coffee shops; HOWEVER... the best outdoor seating at a Tulsa coffee shop, imho, is the Starbucks at 61st & Yale. And, it was absolutely perfect for a come-and-go birthday party. Apparently someone threw out a Facebook invitation. (I spoiled the surprise slightly by inviting people personally through a Facebook status earlier in the day.) But, it was great. Something like 30+ people came out to enjoy coffee, cake and ice cream with me! They also had a giant card that everyone signed for me. I had Gathering-friends, tennis friends, former and current roommates and on.
Toward the end of the night, I was cleaning up and offered some left over cupcakes/cake to a couple of gentlemen who had been sitting near us. They asked me what the group was. I thought for a second and said "well... it's my birthday, and all of these people are my friends." They commented on what a neat group it seemed to be. For whatever reason that small comment made me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have so many people who care for me and would take time out of their busy lives to come celebrate me for an evening.
Other highlights of the bday celebrations were: the family August birthday celebrations in KC, birthday breakfast with Jessica. (The guy at OSBC gave me a free cookie!) And then a couple days after my birthday I had dinner with a few friends at the Garlic Rose, which was chased with two rousing games of Catan. (I lost both!)
It's been a year of transition, and I've been trying to decide where I fit. But... it's been nice in the midst of that to be reminded that I'm loved by so many people. God has definitely been good to me.
