A Philly-Style Birthday

Philly Love

Mike took me to NYC for my 30th, so I took him to Philly for his.  The man loves history and aside from where we currently live, this city has that whole “America’s birthplace” thing going for it.  (I love me a dork smart man.)

We ate amazing sandwiches  and other nom-tastic food not pictured because those places were so legit to break out a camera might cause us to get thrown out (ask for Michale at Il Pittore’s – that server knows his stuff)! DiNic’s of Reading Market won Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America challenge.  And Pat’s Cheese steak won my stomach’s challenge.

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We also hit up the infamous Hop Sing Laundromat for craft cocktails and everything you read about them on Yelp is true, down to the owner with a stick up his arse.  The drinks there were decent, but not mind blowing, so we busted outta there and really enjoyed Village Whiskey‘s down-to-earth vibe and drinks, especially their chocolate margarita!

We walked around Old City where spring was happening like whoa.

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I mean, how do people have the money to plant/cultivate/maintain gardens like this?

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And after an extremely fun segway tour of Philly (so. much. fun!), we were ready to get all history’fied.

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It really is amazing to walk into a room and think back to the massively amazing events which occurred there and allowed our country to be what it is today.

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If you can’t tell by the pictures, we really enjoyed ourselves.  The trip allowed us to get our mind off things and simply have a good time, pretending like we were not about to spend our lives’ savings on a new home!

(and for those of you wondering, yes – Mike got a male version of the present he got me for my 30th, just more of something that tells time and not something with heels!)

On Turning 30 and Staying Classy

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I mentioned before Mike found turning 30 a bit daunting.  So to celebrate, we changed our pace and classed things up a bit.  Not to say we’re normally cheap beer guzzling, lowlifes* but we wanted a pinky-up opportunity.   We rented a private room at a speak-easy type bar, ordered fancy cocktails off a limited menu, and dressed up all swanky.   And that’s exactly how we brought in Mike’s thirtieth year.

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A small group of friends, including Mike’s brother from Florida, attended and we tried our best to act civilized (which we know, makes for entertainment in itself).

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And it was totally worth every sip, I mean cent.

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It’s fun to pretend, and grow up (and then drink more cheap beer).

*that’s exactly what I’m saying

 

Perspective

Just Write

These past two weekends, we celebrated Mike turning 30: once with friends, and once together-just-us in Philadelphia.  At the risk of throwing him under the bus and totally embarrassing him (sorry, honey), Mike struggled with the number 30 the way I did with the number 25.  Yet to be fair, these last 3 months held a substantial amount of change for us: a surprise pregnancy and an equally shocking loss of said pregnancy, finally selling our first home together, his grandparents victims of a random attack (and are physically fine, yet shaken up), his contracted job coming to an end soon, bidding on a home and not getting it, and finally bidding on a home and getting it.  Add turning 30 to that and you have a beautiful mess of adjustment.

Which brings to me to perspective:

As this is my blog I can’t type for my husband, but in each of the events listed above there existed a bit of panic, desire for things to turn out a certain way, and even a lack of control.  Now on the other side of many of those events life feels less rocky.  But it takes while to get that way, and it doesn’t feel completely smooth yet either.

In the midst of chaos we feel helpless and like nothing we do improves the situation, even though good friends, a glass or three of wine, and Fruity Pebbles do what they can to soothe.  But once you get beyond that time of downtrodden feelings, you can look back and maybe get a glimmer of appreciation for the way things turned out.

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For me, in having and loosing a surprise pregnancy it led to many discussions which otherwise had no place in our lives.  When expecting we feared for our finances and put buying a home on hold; all things baby took over.  Then all things not-baby took hold and our savings account turned back into a down payment.  In our loss we found we do want to start a family on the horizon.  And in this odd timing, which a month ago I failed to comprehend, we now can move into a big house, save up a bit and then try our hand at nature again.  Now our bigger place has multiple rooms and more than a dresser drawer for a baby to sleep (although there’s nothing wrong with that, if your situation calls for it), we have a  small yard for our restless dog, we have more than one toilet, too.

We have a forever home, and we move in a week (!).

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The other night, before going to bed, Mike turned and said, “I’m glad to be turning 30 and have you, be married to you, and be moving into a new, beautiful home with you.”

It takes time to see things in the light intended.

Perspective.

 

linking up with Heather for Just Write

Happy Birthday, to my love!

Crowning Victoria Button

Today Mike celebrates 30 years of being alive!!

Happy Birthday Mike!

He’s been an invaluable source of support in the last few months, as we battle through life’s struggles but come out on top. I wouldn’t want to go through hell with anyone else, and likewise celebrate with any other person!

Happy Birthday Mike CrowndVicI hope we celebrate every birthday with as much love and laughter as this one!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband!!!

(and my eldest niece turns 6 today – slow down time – happy birthday to my sweet Eleanor!)

Our Holiday Card

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Whatever it is you celebrate, however you celebrate, we’re wishing you everything that is cozy and wonderful!

Merry Everything

from Crowning Victoria!!