Everybody loves their birthday as a kid, but beyond the age of 21 some people resent a celebration of how they are getting older. Not me though! I still LOVE birthdays! To me it’s your own personal holiday, a celebration of another trip around the sun, a chance to reflect on what you’re thankful for and reconnect with those special people in your life (or are at least those wishing you well on Facebook for the day!) I always make it a point to do something fun, take lots of pictures and receive each birthday wish with gratefulness and gratitude! 🎂❤️🙏🏻

As a kid, having a summer birthday I always passed out invitations on the last week of school for a beach day celebration, slip n’ slide rendezvous, or fun pool party! One year in particular though I had a joint Sweet 16 Birthday Party that was probably one of my most memorable! ☀️💕🌈

My friend Tracy has a birthday just 2 days before mine and having the same group of friends and a Saturday sandwiched in between our two special days, we decided to share June 30th as our Sweet 16 Celebration together!  🍰🎈🎁

It was great! We started off at the roller skating rink with about 20 friends. Some could skate from years of childhood skating events, limbo competitions and other hokey pokey, and some friends could not as they nervously hugged the rail all the way around. They took our music requests, we had popcorn and cotton candy, and we got a special shout out from the DJ on the mic! 🎤 🎶🍿

After roller skating, we had all worked up quite an appetite so we came back to my house where we enjoyed a BBQ, DJ’d music, a water balloon toss, trampoline jumping, opening presents and “The Princess Bride” with virgin margaritas and a big homemade chocolate birthday cake! I remember taking a moment while we were watching the movie to be extremely mindful, take a deep breath in and smile to myself as I looked around the living room to see all of our friends under one roof, sharing in this celebration with happiness, commoradery and memories in the making. This was truly a wonderful day. A birthday I’ll always look back on fondly. 🌹💖😁

It’s still so important to celebrate all that is YOU! So each year, when your special day arrives, think back to your most memorable birthday and strive for that incredible happiness once again! 😋🦋💐

Happy Birthday and may all your wishes come true, 

-Crystal Olguin

September 29, 2018