21 Ways to Celebrate 21...

Yesterday was the best Sunday in a long time…it was the BIG BAD 21st BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for three of the most spectacularly amazing young women the Lord has placed in my life. Meredith, Abigail, and Stacey (aka. my Biola loves) all turned 21 within the past few months, but between Thanksgiving, my trip to Hawaii, Christmas, their semester break and subsequent departure from school, and Stacey embarking on an international mission trip to Malawi, it seemed like perhaps celebrating them ALL once they were back in action and the spring semester was officially underway would be the best bet. So February 15th went on the calendar and I started dreaming up a full day of surprises to remind my girls just how special they truly are.

The timing could not have been better truthfully. 2015 has started off with a lot of challenges for all my girls, so spending a day together laughing and celebrating seemed like a desperately needed distraction from disappointment and pain. With the help of my dear friend and co-mentor Megan, the formal plans for the day evolved into “21 Ways to Celebrate 21”. We put together a list of wild and wacky ways to laugh through a day together making sure to include as many of the girls very favorite things as possible. I knew the day needed to start with donuts because if you know ANYTHING about my loves it’s that they’re OBSESSED with donuts! They can destroy a box of 12 in a single sitting without ANY hesitation, it’s impressive; and their love for donuts is rivaled ONLY by their love for coffee so Starbucks would also NEED to make the list. From there it was just a matter of adding in all kinds of spontaneous and silly with a side of TSwift, some sprinkles, and a healthy dose of Kate Spade topped off with just a touch of sentimental to pull it all together.

21 WAYS TO CELEBRATE 21

1.    DONUTS
DONUT count your calories today!

2.    STARBUCKS
Spend your STARBUCKS!

3.    BIRTHDAY BUTTONS
You’re as cute as BIRTHDAY BUTTON!

4.    NERD GLASSES SELFIE
I like big NERDS and I cannot lie!

5.    CUSTOM INSTA HASHTAG
HASHTAG the (birth)day away!

6.    LUNCH WITH FRIENDS
Get ready for the whole enchilada. Literally. It’s where we’re eating!

7.    POLKA DOT PARTY HATS
Let’s do the polka! NO, not the dance, the HAT!

8.    MOCKTAILS
Cheers to 21 years – the “Biola contract” way!

9.    NEW LIPPY LOVE
Even if you’re all grown up, you can still play dress up!

10.    DUCK LIP SELFIE
Pucker up for a pose!

11.    SILLY STRING EXTRAVAGANZA
I can’t give you a ring before spring, but I’ll cover you with silly string!

12.    ONE MINUTE DANCE PARTY
So you think you can dance? Prove it!

13.    CAR SNACKS
Every good party deserves snacks!

14.    WINDOWS DOWN TOP OF YOUR LUNGS TAYLOR SWIFT SINGALONG
Scream and shout and belt it out – it’s TSWIFT KARAOKE!

15.    BALBOA BARS
Sprinkle on the fun we’re headed to Balboa Island

16.    TOES IN THE SAND
Celebrate your inner beach babe!

17.    JUMPING PIC
Jump for joy!

18.    HEART TALK (at sunset???)
Let’s have a heart-to-heart!

19.    BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, KATE SPADE BIRTHDAY PRESENTS, MATCHING KATE SPADE BIRTHDAY PRESENTS
Presenting to you the most fun part of the day…from my dear friend Kate…

20.    PRAYERS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Cover it all with prayer, every last “ounce” of it!

21.    GLOW STICK RAGER
The 21-year-old version of bling!

It truly was a wonderful day. I got a little tinge teary as the sun set and I knew it was almost over - but the memories will live on and I will forever cherish the fact that God has chosen to allow me to be present and walk alongside these gorgeous daughters of His. What a tremendous gift and blessing that I absolutely do not deserve but for which I am so very grateful.