On November 16, I turned 25! It is crazy to think that I am now in my mid-20s. When people ask how old I am, immediately I think to respond with 21 or 22 (and my dad actually does respond that way!) In no way am I bothered by the fact that I am 25, because I already feel like I have accomplished so much. I have a wonderful teaching job, I have been married to the love of my life for 1.5 years, and I have a beautiful baby girl! I am often bothered by the negativity on social media from other people my age claiming that “all anyone talks about anymore is getting married or having babies.” Well, those people need to realize that that is what many people our age do now, so they should join in on the fun! Our generation is growing up. We are adults now, and not that I didn’t have any fun in my high school or college days, but I have so much more joy in my life now that my world revolves around my faith, my marriage, and my child.

When Ryan asked me this year what I wanted for my birthday, I had no idea what to say. I already have everything that I need. Then I thought more about it and what is most important to me, and that is just to be with my family. If you have ever read the book, “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, you would know what I mean when I say that my love language is quality time. With my husband in Muncie most of the time, nothing makes me happier than simply spending time with him and Kinsie. Then I thought about something fun and not expensive we could all do together. Over the summer, I developed a love for fishing. Since I was pregnant the entire summer and couldn’t exactly go skiing or tubing at Heritage Lake, and fishing became one of me and Ryan’s favorite things to do together. So for my birthday, we decided to take a trip to the lake! Ryan’s family tagged along and watched Kinsie while Ryan and I went fishing. It was a little chilly and windy, but overall a perfect day for fishing. I caught a small bass, which I was very excited about, considering we had very few bites the entire day. I think Kinsie enjoyed her first of many trips to Heritage Lake!

After the lake, we went to dinner at my favorite sushi restaurant, Tegry Bistro with the rest of my family and Ryan’s. I wanted to stay close to the Brownsburg area for my sister, who was due to go into labor at any moment. We had ice cream cake at Krista and Ryan’s house afterwards. My birthday wish originally was to share my birthday with a new niece or nephew, but by later that evening, I came to terms with that not happening. However, I still hoped that it would happen the next day…which it did. Stay tuned for that story! Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday weekend!

 View from the deck. The lake is beautiful in the fall!

Fishing by the marina

 My little family