24

Dear Mom,

Thank you that 24 years (and 1 day) ago, you rocked on your side for five hours so I wouldn't be born with a deformed nose. Thank you for your good genes (I'll take the bad ones) and all of the motherly advice and lessons. Thank you for birthday parties and driving me to my friends' houses to spend the night, picking me up and taking me to practices, and everything else that comes with being a mother. I'm glad that our relationship has only grown closer now that I'm a wife myself.

Love, LB

* * *

24 has been a great year so far. The highlights of my birthday? Waking up to breakfast in bed from JT, a cake and sweet card waiting for me from co-workers, lunch (lobster bisque..mmmm) with my parents, surprise flowers when I returned, and a rockin date night featuring gourmet cupcakes, Hibachi, and fun with in-laws.

The birthday songs this year were "You are My Sunshine" and "You are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne. (Click to hear the proper versions.) I got a mix tape and a frame with two pictures of our honeymoon and one picture of us at an FC Dallas game to hang on my bare white office walls.

So basically, I have the best husband, friends, and family a girl could ask for. My theme for Year 24 (and 1/2 of 23, really) is "With Everything," based on the Hillsong United song of the same name. I will explain more later.