23rd Birthday Surprise

My 23rd birthday will forever be etched in my memory as probably the sweetest birthday of all time! I was kinda nervous about it since it was my first one away from home. Wasn't sure if anyone would care about celebrating with me, but God surrounded me with loving, fun girls who love any excuse to go out and party (in a good way of course). I was overwhelmed by the love showered on me on the 20th by the people here at Regent and back home. I got so many beautiful cards, a package from Germany from Kelli full of foreign goodness, a birthday call from Kaitie Korver at midnight, and the best gift of all that I never expected...

So, a few days before my birthday, Sarah (my RA) asked if I wanted to get a bunch of girls together and go to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate my 23rd. Absolutely! So I was excited to go out and have an excuse to dress up. But the next day, Sarah and Corrie called me and asked if I wanted to do something on Wednesday night (the day before my birthday) with just us. I thought that was kind of strange since we were going out the next night, but I said sure. They wouldn't tell me what we were doing and I asked about dress code. Sarah tried to answer but ended up handing the phone to Corrie who responded with, "Dress hot!" Okay.

So Wednesday night comes and I get all fancy for our pre-birthday girl's night out. I go to Sarah's room where she and Corrie are waiting for me (and another girl Gabrielle is hanging out). It's about 9:30 PM at this point. Soon after, Corrie gets a call from Erica and announces that we are waiting for her to come meet us so she can come too. So we wait around for like 40 minutes and I start getting confused. First, I notice that neither Corrie or Sarah look incredibly dressed up, and what the heck are we going to do after 10 PM?! Nothing PG is open. This whole situation is completely out of character for them. Hmmmmm.

When Erica arrives, we all head over to my room again while she gets ready. I'm tired at this point and kinda mad because I hadn't talked to Steve yet that day (I tried both numbers with no success, odd). All of the sudden, there is a knock on the door. Corrie opens it as I turn around to see who it is...and my jaw drops. Who else walks in but STEVE!!! I was speechless! He walks in and says, "Happy birthday." I tear up as I walk towards him and we hug for the first time in almost three weeks. At that point, all of these girls who were in cahoots with Steve the whole time just start crying at this beautiful sight of reunion. They are seriously still talking about it and I'm pretty sure Steve will be a legend here for a while. It was the best birthday present I'll ever get! And it was such a God thing because he had air miles and his flight only cost $10! Also, Steven Gaines (one of my friends who Steve stayed with last time he visited) had just moved and had an extra bed in his room. So perfect!

After we talk for about an hour and he explains all his secret keeping details, we headed to IHOP to get some dinner, since all Steve had that day was airport food. We get there about midnight, so I started off my birthday with Steve by my side while I ate chocolate chip pancakes and getting a birthday call from Kaitie Korver. So good!

The next morning, I got up and found this hanging on the wall. Thanks roomie! It has butterflies all over it!

Also, my friend Renee stopped by and brought me some delicious bread from a local bakery and some incredible leftover desserts from a wedding she went to for one of her best friends. They were unbelievable tasty! That was my birthday breakfast :)

Cream puffs, eclairs, canoles, cheesecake, cookies, and more!

Steve and I just enjoyed the day together and relaxed in my room, watched the Lion King, I opened birthday gifts and cards that Steve delivered from home, talked to my sister for an hour, we went on a walk and visited my friend Ashley at her on campus job, and then we got ready to go out to Cheesecake Factory with the girls. Gabrielle, one of my friends who is a talented makeup artist, even gave me a gorgeous makeup job. Here's the group (minus Jillian who came a bit later). I can't believe how blessed I am with the friendships I have here.

My life was incomplete before this picture was taken

Yes, they sang for me :)

It was so much fun! Steve and I split an appetizer (avocado egg rolls) and a passion fruit mojito. I got the original strawberry cheesecake (fav!). Lots of laughter, fellowship, stories, and bonding time. I'm so glad that Steve got to know my circle of friends better and vise versa. Best birthday ever! God is so good.