I walked around trying to convince everyone that this past weekend I was 22 and tried to ignore the fact that 25 was actually happening. I keep telling people “I’m not ready!” and “25 just sounds so much older than 24!” Truth is, growing up is frightening because it is happening far too quickly. I’m going to sound like an old lady here, but time is literally flying with the blink of eye and it seems like high school was just a few years back and college is still in session, I’m just on one of those ridiculously awesome long breaks that they give us. In this year alone, 3 of my favorite friends said “I do” (2 of them college roommates!), 2 friends announced that babies are brewing in their bellies, people are buying houses and before we know it, we’ll all be playing Bridge and taking our teeth out at night.

…Okay, maybe that was jumping the gun just a smidge. But, you see what I mean! Nonetheless, I had the best birthday and can only thank my family for making me feel so special. Here is a glimpse of how my birthday “week” looked thanks to my phone cam! A Zornow wedding, a packer party, pizza for two (but could feed 10), ceramics class, and crazy amount of cake and the best people <3

This year, I want to slow down. I want to do more for myself, I want to work less, play more, and soak in those 20’s. I want to grow my passion for photography and shoot things just for fun. I want to go up north and visit my Grandma more often, I want to catch up with friends, continue our monthly roommate dinners and take my parents to lunch. In this year, I want to travel more and see new things. I never want to give up my passion and excitement to just “go” and wake up in a new city. I want to grow in this business and I don’t want to over do it. I want to explore other passions, I want to paint over old canvases, I want to continue my pottery classes and learn, I want to do quick sketches in a tiny notebook like our professors used to make us do. I want to visit my teacher friends and spend days in Art classrooms. I want to build my relationships and enjoy a glass (or three) of wine with people I don’t see very often.

I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do know that I always feel so loved on my birthdays and for that, I am wildly grateful.