25th Birthday! -Amy

Hello blogworld!

My 25th birthday was on January 22, and the entire weekend was an absolute blast. I was reminded of how many amazing people I have accumulated in my life over the years. Here is how I spent the weekend:

Friday, January 20

I spent the work day getting endless birthday wishes from 22 of the coolest 4th graders I will ever know. I also shamelessly guilted them into following every one of my directions by starting each sentence with, "Do you know what I really want for my birthday..." Classic. Also, we got TONS of snow in Chicago that day (wouldn't be my birthday without a snowstorm) so I trekked it home to a dinner out at El Mariachi with my main man. Then, we headed over to his brother, Ryan's, apartment to hang out with him and his girlfriend, Niki.

Saturday, January 21
I slept in and then headed to the southside for a professional development session that I was leading for Teach for America. I got my best reviews thus far from the people in my session, so I would say it was a success! My BFF from college, Meredith, drove into town from Indy for my birthday. She is SUCH a good friend. That night, Roger and I put together a package at one of our favorite bars, Duffy's, where 25-30 of my best friends came out to celebrate. It was really awesome because I had friends from all phases of life- elementary school, high school, college, work friends, amazing. It was truly one of my favorite nights ever.

Sunday, January 22
The official big birthday! After all the celebrating we already did over the weekend it's amazing to say that I had even MORE fun on my actual birthday. Due to rising temperatures the snow from the storm melted just in time for my parents and grandparents to drive up from La Porte for brunch. My lovely sisters, bros-in-law (Kevin and Ryan), and Niki met us there too. All in all we had 13 people at Hearty Boys, which has very quickly become my favorite restaurant in the city. Their food is AMAZING (they call it, "comfort revisted"), the atmosphere is cozy and energetic, and their food is amazing. Wait, did I already say that? I don't care because it is AMAZING. After the deliciousness that was brunch, my family hung out for awhile at the apartment then headed home, but not before I opened adorable earrings, delicious chocolate, and the coziest Siesta Key sweatshirt EVER from all of them. Also, I got a gift card from Brady and Kevin to use at Siesta Key Oyster Bar when I head down to FL in the spring!
That night, Roger and I went out for a FANTASTIC dinner at Angelina Ristorante. Also some of the best pasta I've ever eaten! Needless to say I ate VERY well during the weekend of my birthday. We came home and watched Mr. Popper's Penguins with Jim Carrey for some cheap laughs- a definite success.


All in all, it was one of the best birthdays I've ever had. I was constantly surrounded by my most favorite people in the world, and that's all I could ever ask for. Thank you SO much to everyone who celebrated with me, sent me birthday wishes, or was thinking of me. I am one VERY lucky girl! Can't wait to have a fantastic 25th year!

P.S. I LOVE Brady's post below. So nice! Thanks, Brady!