Go shawty, it's yo' birfday

Seriously, who doesn't love birthdays?!

Actually, I know quite a few people who don't enjoy their birthday at all.  From the time I was born, my mom (and dad) have instilled in me and my brother a rather large love for all birthdays, especially our own.  Your birthday is the day that the good Lord decided to bless this world with your presence -- why not celebrate?  My mom always decorates the entire house with personalized birthday posters, streamers in my favorite colors, and a delicious (and beautiful) cake/cheesecake.

My own birthday was this past Tuesday.  It was my first birthday out in the real world, which honestly made me feel a bit anxious.  I was blessed to be able to spend the weekend before in Ohio with my parents, partly to celebrate my birthday early.  While I was there, I opened my presents, ate as much delicious cheesecake as I could handle, and ate my favorite foods.

On Sunday, I woke up to my entire house decorated with red, white, and blue streamers (because I'm a Patriot :)) and several personalized posters.  Please keep in mind that I was leaving to head back to Chicago in the early afternoon.

                

                                                         
As if this wasn't enough, my mom also put together a little "birthday kit" to take back to Chicago to use on Tuesday.  It included:

A pajama shirt to wear on the eve of my birth.

A birthday crown and some chocolate chips
to add to my eggo waffles in the morning.

A cupcake and candle to put in my lunch.

Streamers to hang outside of my room.

 Needless to say, I used the entire kit and documented it via instagram.
                                              

Basically, my parents are the greatest.  I am beyond thankful for them every day.  They are the best earthly, physical representation of God's unconditional love, or agape, that I know.  They willfully love me without ever really expecting anything in return. My birthday is just one day a year that this love is super apparent, but their support and love is available to me (and others) every day.  They have been nothing but encouraging and giving my entire life and I have no doubt that this will continue throughout my adult life.  Everyone deserves to have an earthly representation of God's love and it is my prayer that we continually recognize those people in our lives and to never take their presence for granted.  When you figure out who those people are for you, let them know and thank them!