HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Don't be fooled, I'm a narcissist at my very core, especially today! And today's no ordinary day.

Have you ever thought of that? Have you ever thought: Today, no one can know just by looking at me that it's my birthday. It's just another day for them. Another ordinary day. What if I treated EVERY DAY like my birthday? Well, I'd be up at 5am, blowing out my hair and primping at an early hour. I'd probably feel like a million bucks because that's how I feel today. But no one would be wishing me a happy birthday or singing to me or giving me presents. That would be sad. You know, I have this thought every year (the "I should treat every day like it's my birthday" thought) and I last for about 2 days. Then, it's the same old story.

Anyhow. There are two reasons why today is not ordinary.

For one: I'm in Podunk, Idaho (Boise actually) and it's a balmy, breezy 80 degrees outside. Absolutely gorgeous. It's practically summer!

For two: Duh. Today's my birthday! I'm 26! (Holy shit, time flies. I still feel like I'm 16 sometimes.) It's my most favorite day of the year! I get to be completely egocentric, boastful, narcissistic, whiny, neurotic, vain and everyone has to love me. Well, or everyone just DOES love me. It's my birthday! I mean, I usually DON'T embody those characteristics on a regular basis (Okay, so I'm a little bit neurotic at times), but today, if I want, I get to be them.

BUT, do you wanna know why I love my birthday THE MOST?

I feel unequivocally loved.

Not only am I basking in the warmth of the (summer?) sun, I'm also basking in the love of my family and friends. It's the best!

So...thank you Mom, for enduring a difficult labor and delivering me safe and sound into this strange world (not without a little amniotic fluid in my lungs, but still). Thank you Dad for contributing your genes and your parenting skills (which have improved markedly over my 26 years, might I add). Thank you Brother for annoying the hell out of me while simultaneously making me laugh (pants over knees, anyone?). Thank you to my other family members for being wonderful and crazy (it takes a village, doesn't it?). Thank you to my dear friends across the country for still being my friends despite being across the country.

Man, I'm a lucky girl. (A birthday girl!)