So this is what 25 looks like

I am 25 today.

So far, I don't mind it. In fact, my first taste of 25 has gone so well, I think I'll stick with it for a year or so.

And as a great start, there's nothing that makes me feel more loved than the countless texts, calls, facebook messages, and face-to-face birthday wishes I received today. Thanks to all of my wonderful family and friends to helped make this day so special for me by reminding me that you kind of like me a little bit.

The day was just a good one all around, too. I woke up to a beautiful, sunny day, which stayed sunny and warm all into the evening. I got to work on time/early for the first time after a couple weeks of running in on time/late. I was quite productive; I got a lot done that I'd been needing to, which felt so great.

Around 12:30, I realized I needed to go to lunch if I wanted to get my whole hour - if I waited much longer, it would get cut short by meetings I needed to be around for in the afternoon. So I left work and took myself out for a birthday lunch at Good Stuff Eatery, like my sister-in-law Laura told me to in her happy birthday text earlier that morning. Then I sat at a table in the sun in front of the Library of Congress and enjoyed my handcut fries and mango dipping sauce. Mom called at the perfect time while I was sitting outside, and we chatted a bit - I was pleased to hear she and Dad would also be enjoying my birthday by going for a walk and hopefully treating themselves to a lovely birthday treat.

When I came back from work, I found a sweet little surprise waiting for me at my desk. My cute friend Stephanie, who works exactly 2 floors above me and lives exactly one street away from me, had dropped off a bread pudding mountain with a strawberry on top and a 'happy birthday' note converted from a previous, unrelated note written to her earlier by her congressman. It was completely unexpected and absolutely darling, and I giggle-smiled for about 2.5 minutes as I read and re-read the kind note. Then I went to the back office for something and was promptly stopped by co-workers Tyler and Matt, who needed to know who this Stephanie character was, dropping off such yummy treats for someone who wasn't them. For the rest of the day, the only thing that mattered to them was how my bread pudding tasted - for the record, it was quite pudding-y and tasty. And the strawberry was melt-in-my-mouth juicy, however that works.

I had wondered yesterday whether anyone at work would remember it was my birthday today and do anything for it - we usually do a Herger office birthday party, but I'm in charge of it, and you can't throw your own party - but luckily co-worker Rachel tipped me off by asking me what my favorite dessert might be...and choosing to not insult my intelligence by trying to find out slyly and hoping that I didn't connect her question to the fact that it was my birthday the next day. So around 5:15, when the day had finally slowed down, I got a little 'surprise' party (I had promised Rachel I would still act surprised today) and I blew out my candles, keeping my wish a secret from co-worked Tyler, who tried to catch me unawares and find out what I'd wished for - sorry Tyler, I'm too quick for you! The chocolate birthday cake Rachel got me reminded me of the giant chocolate cake Ms. Trunchbull makes a boy eat in Matilda - luckily it wasn't that big, but we still couldn't eat all of it, even with 8 of us working at it.

Then I got dinner at cafe pizzaiolo, a little pizzeria near my house, with 3 of my favorite gal pals. It was a blast being all together, and I'm glad I could have a small dinner with people I really enjoy. And of course, we finished it off with a little place I like to frequent (and by frequent, I mean 'go to 3 times in the last 8 months I've lived out here...I'd be ok going more often...) called "the Dairy Godmother." It's an authentic Wisconsin frozen custard place, which just makes me so happy. I got a cup of the caramel heath bar flavor of the day, and I smiled knowingly at the freezer in the back with a #90 and "Raji" written in green masking tape. It's the little Wisconsin touches like that which make me feel so at home. And good friend Jillian bought a 4-pack of Sprechers Root Beer as a gift to me - it might've been the best gift I've ever gotten. I'm stoked to crack open a bottle tomorrow; I might take a bottle to work and enjoy it in front of my co-workers so they can fully appreciate how great it is.

And then, to finish it off, sister Abby called and chatted with me - I had to add her in here, or she'd never forgive me for broken promises about ending my birthday summary with her phone call, since it was most recent and fresh on my mind. Plus, it was fun talking to her, as it always is, so I'll give her the honorable mention. It was great to hear from all of my siblings at some point in the day, by phone, text, and/or facebook - thanks for thinking of me!

So 25 is looking good from where I'm at right now. I had a lot of excitement and adventure in 24 - I wonder what will define 25?