Birthday Fun

My birthday was on Monday. I'm not sure why I wasn't as excited as I usually am about it. I'm normally the kind of person that shouts the news from the rooftops. I would hate for anyone to miss an opportunity to wish me well or send a gift. We used to make jokes about me having a birthweek rather than a birthday. More time to celebrate. And more opportunities for presents.

My dear husband was having none of my indifference. He made sure that the day didn't slip by unmarked. Actually, he got started a day early and took me to fancy pants brunch at North Pond on Sunday.

North Pond is located in the middle of Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is to Chicago what Central Park is to Manhattan. An oasis in the middle of a big urban area. The restaurant is in what used to be a park district warming house for folks skating on the pond right out front. It's a pretty spectacular setting.

This isn't the kind of place we usually go. While it's more casual at brunch, it's one of those restaurants where "gentlemen" wear jackets. It was kind of fun to get dressed up on a Sunday afternoon. Somehow, just putting on a pair of black slacks rather than my usual jeans and a sweater started to make me feel the way I usually do about my birthday. I even had a celebratory Bloody Mary.

I woke up on my birthday to this:


















When Michael and I first met, Tiffany had just brought out what turned into a kind of iconic bracelet. Over the years we've turned it into a charm bracelet. Most of the charms we've added were to commemorate something. Some are souvenirs of vacations or anniversary gifts. This one is the key to his heart.

















He's pretty great.