Birthday!

I had a fantastic birthday.

King and Queen threw a birthday party in Charlotte on Sunday. It was my first Norman birthday party. It's so comforting to see what a healthy, functioning family I have joined.

Brad took me to Celebration Station on Monday (my actual birthday). We rode gocarts, played mini golf, and racked up 488 tickets in the game room. I had a LOT of fun. Even though I beat him in gocarts, he thoroughly stomped me in minigolf (think 11 shots on just 18 holes). Not my best effort, I must admit.

We traded our tickets for a funny looking cow and a whoopie cushion. We also got two mini Nerf toys, but I think the cats enjoy the Nerfs more than we did.

We headed back to Hickory that afternoon. I took a nap and Brad played Madden 07. Then he took me to Dos Amigos in Newton.

This was one of the best birthdays I've ever had.

Speaking of getting old, I am 25. Brad and I talked about the big rites we have yet to pass.

I think the first on our list is to buy a house. We're thinking within the next two years. The only thing stopping us from trying to a house now is that we have quite a bit of student loans to pay down, and we don't want to buy a house then move up to our next jobs, not knowing where those jobs may be.

Newspapers are unlike other careers. There is usually only one place you can work per city, so you have to be prepared to move in order to move up the totem pole.

That leads to the next big rite: children.

I am not ready. Yet.

I would really like five years for Brad and I to enjoy each other's company and do some of the things we would like to do together before we have to stop being selfish. That would make me 30 when we started trying, if that's how we still feel in five years. Talking to Amy this weekend, anything could happen. We could want to start trying next year. Who knows. We'll take it step by step, and the next step is a semi-permanent home (read: buy a house).

It's amazing how a birthday really kicks you in the rear to think big picture.

And a final note: Brad accepted the job in Statesville. I think everyone is excited, including me. I'll keep you updated on the possible promotion on my end.