Happy Birthday to you!

Last night will go down as one of my favorite nights here in Chicago. My very good friend Vivian is having a birthday next week and I thought that I would celebrate her by taking her "home". Let me back up first. Vivian was the first person I met here and actually connected with. When I came to Chicago to figure out fundraising stuff, she picked me up from the airport. That same weekend, the weekend of her birthday, she took me and two other future interns to Steak and Shake to help us process the intern program. Once I moved up here, she helped me meet new friends, let me hang out with her and it's been history ever since. About a year ago, I had the opportunity to go home with her to Puerto Rico and see a piece of her history that so many don't and I felt so fortunate. She is a wonderful friend and all should get to know her...

Anyways since I'll be in the tundra for her birthday, I took her to this restaurant we found at the Taste of Chicago last year. It was a total hole in the wall, but it was something that totally reminder her (and me) of Puerto Rico. Steak, plantains and some cheese fritters later, we were both stuffed and happy. We then decided that since we were in Chicago why not go to the 24 hour Starbucks. We had coffee, attempted the crossword puzzle(s), made up stories, looked at cute boys and listened to some great music. It was awesome. I haven't laughed that hard in a while.

All in all to say, happy birthday friend. Thank you for including me on your special day...I'm sad that I won't be here for the actual day, so thanks for allowing me to celebrate you early.

A side note: my other wonderful beautiful friend Kochie is having a birthday next week, which I'll miss and I'm so sad. Happy birthday to you to friend...I love you so much!