Wednesday, September 5, 2018

25


When I was young, I wrote a letter to my 25-year-old self,
to be read when I was older and wiser.

Yesterday, the day before my 25th birthday, I went looking for that letter, hoping to find musings from middle school me - but alas, no luck. What I did find, under my bed, in no particular order: Letters from campers, lunch box notes from my mom, a fuzzy stick-on mustache, old songwriting notebooks, doodles from high school friends, all of my old journals and an exclusive interview, written on my old typewriter, with my best friend from first grade. 

I have always suspected I had a hoarding problem, but this confirmed it.

























Even though I don't know what my younger self had to say, 
I do hope she would be proud.

I guess I always thought 25 was super adult, super mature. (To be fair, I resisted wearing the stick-on mustache.) So maybe we always think that we will have it more together at some future date. I've come to realize that everyone's always learning. 

One thing that hasn't changed at 25? My love for red velvet cake.



So far the lead-up to 25 has been wonderful: Outback with the family, pink vinyl, quiet weekend mornings, cups of green tea, surprise cupcakes (the best kind of cupcakes). 

And now, it's finally here.


























LET'S DO THIS, 25.

Odes to 24, 23, 22, and 21 also available for your viewing pleasure in the archives.

But wait! I need your recommendations!

Y'all, I need all the recommendations for books and movies and music to listen to in September. Enlighten me with your knowledge! And thanks for reading!

26 comments:

  1. Happy happy birthday girl! My 20th was the 31st of this past month and it's so crazy to see time fly! As for recommendations to read: Anything Lacey Sturm, Blessed are the Misfits from Brant Hanson. To Watch: Pillow Talk (very adorable rom-com!) and Daddy Long Legs (the one made in the 50s in adorable). To listen to: Needtobreaths latest singles or Jon Foreman. <3
    Happy birthday again, friend! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! :) Ooh, happy belated birthday to you! I totally agree, whenever a birthday comes around I get really reflective and nostalgic about time. Life is movin'! Oooh, these are great recommendations, I will check them out! As for Needtobreath's new tunes and Jon Foreman = so much love. <3 :) Thanks so much!!

      Delete
  2. This was so precious and such a great reminder that growing up is really just growing into ourselves and learning how to solve problems.

    Music recs (if you need specific songs let me know -- I tend to like artists as a whole...): Twenty-One Pilots ;), The Ready Set, Marina and the Diamonds, Elevation Worship.

    Movie/Book recs: To All the Boys I Loved Before, Everything Everything, Wonder.

    TV shows (you didn't ask but I have so much to share): Hyouka (amazing anime if you're into that!), 12 Monkeys, and Fruits Basket (anime/manga and both are beautiful).

    Happy birthday. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! :) I think life is just constantly learning. No one's ever "arrived," I don't think.

      Oooh, I haven't heard of Marina and the Diamonds! *dances because new music* BRB just counting the days til the new twenty one pilots album drops...

      Solid book/movie recommendations! I have read all of those but haven't seen the movies for the last two. ON THE LIST IT GOES!

      Ooh, thanks for the bonus recommendations! You are the jam. :)

      Delete
  3. Happy birthday!!!

    I suggest starset's song, starlight, and also anything by Hidden citizens. (I listen to a lot of writing music, honestly.) Fleurie's album, Portals, is also the best thing ever.

    The Blood Race, Worlds Beneath, The Girl Who Could See for books, but I don't know if you've already read those. (I'm obsessed with these, lol.)

    And I have no clue for movies. I don't watch T.V much. Work takes up my life right now.

    <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Ivie! I really appreciate the recommendations. :) I will check all of these out. Thanks again! <3

      Delete
  4. Happy 25th!!! I always used to think that there was a magic age that I would reach, and then "grown-up" would descend upon me, but I have a hunch that won't ever happen. ;) At least, there isn't a magic age. Did you ever think you would be 25?

    As for music, I've been listening to We Bought a Zoo almost exclusively. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Evangeline! :) Girl, I feel the same way! Maybe when we hit 40 we will become magically grown up and possess sage wisdom? I think 25 was definitely an age I looked to as a beacon. And now that I'm here, I'm happy in some ways, but I also am more motivated to move towards goals I thought I might have accomplished by now.

      Ooh, I'll check that out, thanks!! :)

      Delete
  5. Happy Birthday, girl!! I know I always looked to future me as being super mature and put together, but now that I'm actually older, I have it together even less than I used to. It's humbling, but I feel like life is a journey and it's our job to make the most out of it <3

    Here's to another great year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! :) <3 Right?! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I look back and I'm like, "Dang...I knew more then." I guess age doesn't always mean wisdom, lol! :) Definitely humbling. Thanks for the birthday wishes, I really appreciate it!

      Delete
  6. Happy Birthday! <33
    Ooh, I always love re-reading Harry Potter in the fall months and some music I love for the autumn months is the Over the Garden Wall soundtrack. <33

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! :) YES re-reading Harry Potter in the fall is like sort of going back to school in a way? I wish Hogwarts was real. I could say a lot on that topic, LOL. I'll definitely check out the soundtrack, thank you!!

      Delete
  7. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIN!!! 25 is such an exciting milestone. I pray that you have the most wonderful year ever!

    As for recs... I always suggest any book by Ruta Sepetys, and you can't go wrong music-wise with Sleeping at Last :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! <3 :) You are the best! I can already feel really great things for this 25th year, so thanks for praying. :) Ooh, I haven't heard of Ruta's work, I'll check it out! YES Sleeping at Last always makes me feel the feels. Great recommendation! Thank you. <3

      Delete
  8. I hope you had a lovely day, dear! <3 PEEP THAT PINK BLEACHERS vinyl. <3-<3

    Also, can I just say how much I love the way you edit your photos? And here are some recs for you:

    Books - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas OR my all time favorite... Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (recommend reading towards the end of November, close to Christmas time because... reasons. ;))

    Movies - To All The Boys I've Loved Before or The Princess Diaries movies because I just love them.

    Music - lovelytheband (I'm obsessed)

    xx Kenzie | www.paperpizzablog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! :) RIGHT I was so happy when I opened it up. <3

      GAH I could hug this comment, you are the sweetest! That means a lot, especially coming from you, because I always love your #BlogAesthetic and posts. :)

      Ooh, haven't read The Hate U Give but have heard great things! YES Rainbow Rowell rocks; I read Fangirl so I will definitely have to read Carry On in late November. IT'S GOIN' ON THE LIST.

      I adore To All the Boys I've Loved Before! And oh my goodness, The Princess Diaries! Such a throwback. Those films warm my heart. Thanks for all the epic recommendations!! You are the bomb!

      Delete
  9. Happy birthday!! Birthdays are the perfect time for reflection, I find. I just turned 21, and I thought I'd be much more mature now too, so don't worry. You're not alone. XD

    Let's see. Books: 'Uninvited' by Lysa TerKeurst, and the Paper Stars series by Lauren Nicolle Taylor (the best novels I've read in a long, long time). Movies: 'Priceless' - I haven't watched it actually, but I just reread the book, and it's so good. Music: For King & Country's new songs. I hope you have a wonderful September and twenty-fifth year! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Jessica! :) Happy belated birthday! I totally agree. I get very reflective on New Year's and on my birthday and always set new goals and look back on the previous year. I' glad I'm not the only one!

      I will definitely check these out! Super intrigued by the Paper Star series. :) Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and recommendations! Have a great rest of your weekend. <3

      Delete
  10. All the best! I hope you had some wonderful time! Loved reading about your previous birthdays. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! :) <3 I had a great birthday! Glad you enjoyed the adventure into the past birthdays. I can't believe I've documented so many on the blog!!

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Thank you! I KNOW!! I'm honestly stunned, I feel like a grandma haha :)

      Delete
  12. Happy 25th! I hope your 25th year is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!! :) <3 So far it's been great!

      Delete

Go with grace.