23

Wow, I can't believe it.  I'm 23 years old!  Yesterday was my birthday, and I know I say this every year, but man it felt like a big one.  I know everybody older than me thinks I am nuts, but here's my POV*...  I've officially made it past all of the cool milestone birthdays.  
14 - driving permit.  
16 - driver's license.  
18 - legal adult, cigs, lottery tickets, porn.  
21 - drinks.  
Ok, ok, so maybe 18 didn't really do anything for me, but you get the idea.  The only age I have left to get excited about is 25 when I can rent a car without my mommy signing for me.  Big deal. 


I've gotta say though, I still feel like a kid.  I still get that "birthday feeling" all day on May 26th. Everything seems right in the world and the outpouring of love is overwhelming.  


I woke up yesterday morning and said, "Haven, it's Mama's birthday.  Can you say, Happy Birthday, Mommy?"  She responded, "Birthday, Mommy!"  That was enough to melt my heart and get my day started out right.  I whispered a little prayer that Haven would be a good girl for my birthday.  Popped in an episode of Barney and snuck away for a shower.  I whispered a second prayer in case the first one didn't get through, "If I could get through this shower without Haven interrupting that would be a really good birthday present."  And it worked!  I was so happy.  (She always comes in the bathroom when I'm taking a shower and tries to get in with me.  It's sweet, but I just want to get in and out and on with my day.)


My Grammy agreed to watch Haven while my mom and I went to lunch.  We headed out to one of my favorite sushi spots and shared three delicious rolls and some seaweed salad - a favorite of my mom and mine.  


Later, Luke took me to see Shrek Forever After in 3D for a matinée showing.  There's something special about going to a movie in the middle of the day and having a theater all to yourself.  It's nice to not have to whisper for fear of disturbing other movie-goers; to be able to put your feet up on the chair in front of yours; or to laugh as loud as you can without embarrassment.  These are the luxuries of day-time movie going.  

We then made our way to our favorite restaurant ever, Ohana Steakhouse!!  Oh man, we love that place way too much.  But we usually only make it there on special occasions.  Luke had his usual shrimp entree, and I had the scallops and a glass of my favorite, Starling Castle.  Again, this was my special occasion drink.  

Right after we ate.  I remember feeling very hot and full when this pic was taken.

After picking Haven up from Grandma and Grandpa's we headed to Mr. Movies and picked up "The Blind Side" which neither of us had seen.  And yes, it was just as good or better than everybody has been saying.  Such a good story, I could see myself buying it someday.  Luke surprised me earlier in the day by getting the night off from work so we could take our sweet time and actually go to sleep together.  It was a really nice day.  I wanna do it all over again.

*POV = point of view