Good Bye 20's!

On August 23rd at 7:00 p.m. I celebrated my thirtieth birthday (which was August 19) with my best friends and families. We met for dinner at Trio's Jazz Club in downtown South Bend. The people I was surrounded by that night are my strength, my sanity, and my heart. I love each one of them in a different way and I would not be the person I am today without each one of them in my life. They have given courage when I thought I couldn't push on any further. They have shown me laughter in the midst of turmoil. I have seen their kindness poured over me. They are the people who believed in me when I had given up on myself. They are wonderful.

Reflecting on my twenties I learned a few simple lessons.

1. You truly have no idea who you are until AT LEAST 25.

2. 21 should not be a legal age to make any kind of decision on ones own!!!

3. True friendships last through anything and actually get stronger.

4. Your parents are actually right most of the time!

5. Love is not a thing- It is something you do for one another

Several people I talked to said Ohhhh thirty was really hard for me! I was thinking GREAT! Just what I need to hear. I actually pumped myself up thinking I would have a nervous breakdown on my birthday. Try as I did, it didn't happen! I felt pretty darn good! I look at the past thirty years as a stepping stone..A learning experience...trial and error...Had a lot of trials..made a lot of errors..Now is the time to really start living! Made mistakes I would not go back and change. Made other mistakes where I am STILL shaking my head. It all has added up to who I am today. Better...Wiser...Stronger! I am thirty! It's the new twenty!

American Idol Concert

Melissa and I are addicted to American Idol! We text each other during the show and say who we think needs to go home, who we think is good, and who we are just plain annoying! For those of you not AI fans, you would view this as childish and pathetic. Three simple words...WE DON'T CARE!

All teasing aside, this is something that has become a tradition for Melissa and I. We have travelled to the AI concert for the past 5 years. They are usually in Indy or Chicago. This year we went to Indy and saw the concert at Conseco Fieldhouse. Our hotel was just a block from the venue, and our seats were good! I actually forgot my camera at home (definitely a first) and Melissa's did not pick up much due to some serious lighting effects. However, we did get a few of us being silly and enjoying each other's company.

I am thankful Melissa and I share something so silly that each of us looks forward to. It's also great to see the AI following has grown a bit older as well. When we first started going, it was a lot of teeny boppers. Now you can see grown professional women (oh like us!) attending the concert! Thanks for a fun time yet again Melissa!