it's my birthday!

I'm 27 today! 

And I'll admit it: I stood in front of the mirror last night and took an inventory of the lines and marks on my face. So far, so good. There's a little bit of sagging happening around the cheek area (I blame my high cheekbones, which are both a blessing and a curse) but I think that sunscreen I've been wearing since the age of 18 has definitely done its work.

So that's my superficial post for the day. 

{Don't tell me you've never stood in front of the mirror on your birthday and realized you are not, in fact, 19 years old anymore...unless you are 19 and, in that case, I want you to know that your skin IS beautiful...NO ONE can see that tiny mark on your chin...and please, please, pretty please DO NOT go lay out in the sun/tanning bed and bake! Your 27 year old self will appreciate it.}

Anyway, I didn't get much sleep last night (four hours to be exact) but today has been wonderful! Pierce and I celebrated my birthday early this weekend by being lazy, watching "The Hunger Games", and buying books at Barnes and Noble. I got Tracey Garvis Graves' On the Island and let me just tell you...it's like "The Blue Lagoon" meets "Love Actually". I finished it in less than 24 hours.

Today, I got up early and took my time getting ready. I curled my hair and put on my favorite maxi dress. My sweet parents called to wish me a happy birthday, along with my dearest friends, and my Facebook notifications reached the triple digits (and every single one of you know the only reason I know that is because FB tells me when I log on...my superficiality has its limits).

When I got to work, I discovered a beautiful, Tangled-themed birthday cake homemade by my sweet office mate, Bree, sitting on my desk. She even put it in a cast iron skillet!

{Go watch the movie and you'll understand why that's so darn adorable.}

I have been very blessed. I'm thankful for another year of living and another day of friendship, joy, and love. Thank you to everyone who has made my life so incredibly wonderful. I love you all.