Celebrating Life, Embracing Death.
I'm almost through my fourth week at 8th Light. Two mannerisms I've noticed:
a lot of people take their shoes off while they work
a lot of people wear plaid
 Last week, I celebrated my 25th birthday. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that always made my birthday a really special occasion. My gifts may have matured from Barbie dolls to Tiffany rings but the tradition of being treated like a rockstar hasn't diminished in the least.Â
My Mom, 1 hour before I made my world debut.
My Dad holding me for the first time. Obviously, I wasn't camera ready yet. Paparazzi, please.Â
I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend with my parents and the week with my friends and extended family. My Dad gave me White Sox tickets and I brought my friend, Emma, my boyfriend's brother, Matt and his girlfriend, Lauren. Little did we know, they were VIP tickets in the GoldCoast Club! Free food, free booze, and free dessert! Thanks, Dad! What a great birthday surprise! My boyfriend's mom, Karen, and sister, Missy, came into the city from the suburbs just to bring me presents and take me out to lunch! See, rockstar! I went with my foodie bestie, Emma, to The Little Goat Diner for my birthday dinner and it was amazing. We ordered too much food, but what's a birthday without indulging?
Ballers at the White Sox game!
Pre-gluttons @ The Little Goat Diner!
There was a bittersweet ending to my 8/7/13 celebration. As I was embracing my 25th year of life, my once college roommate was losing a battle she had been fighting for 5 years. My friend, roommate, Rush sister, intramural sport teammate, nightly ice cream bingeing partner, and giggling queen passed away on my birthday at the young age of 24. Kate was one of the nicest people I have EVER had the pleasure of knowing. She had a kind heart, optimistically positive attitude, and infectiously fun spirit.Â
Lindsey had been keeping me updated on Kate's health while she was in and out of the Cleveland Clinic. I tried to plan a trip to visit Kate more than once, but it never happened. I will always feel guilty about that. I should have made the time, she was worth it. Kate was a big influence in my first two years of college. She will always have a starring role in the hilarious memories that were made on the 4th floor of Darrow. We became close friends during a time when the hardest decision we faced was if we were going to class that day. College.Was.Awesome. And I'm glad I was able to experience it with her.
Kate passing away on my birthday is, for lack of a better word, a weird feeling. I attended her services in Toledo, Ohio this week and it was an intensely emotional 2 days. Even though Kate is no longer suffering, it still pains me to think about the great life she wholeheartedly deserves but will never live. It's sad that these circumstances make me realize how much I take for granted and that I need to appreciate all the good in my life. I will forever think of her often, remember to acknowledge all of my good fortunes, and keep on living the way she would have been proud of.Â
"You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..." -Â Tom Petty
Thanks for always being silly with me, Kate.Â