my birthday

top back left to right: chocolate mint, boston cream, chocolate vanilla,

chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, chocolate 3,

chocolate banana, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate 2,

vanilla chocolate, key lime and red velvet cake

Georgetown Cupcake is a local cupcake shop that has received the highest accolades from the Washington Post, Rachel Ray, the Today Show and Martha. Once I read about this place I had to try it; luckily my birthday only two weeks away.

Yesterday I went up to G-town and picked up a dozen cupcakes. My big birthday plans for the night were to grab a bite to eat with three friends and then come back to my place for cupcake tasting. The plans were low key because we are going to have a "party" next week when Ashley gets back. I decided Ledo's Pizza because they make a killer buffalo chicken calzone (which I normally avoid because it is so not healthy). Unfortunately midday I got a text saying one of my friends was having stomach issues and needed more bland food. She suggested an American food place down the road. No problem. Friends are more important than food.

They picked me up and we went to Clyde's. After we walked in the door the ladies came to a stop in the middle of the foyer. Weird since we had reservations and the hostess desk was only five more steps in front of us. Puzzled, I made the executive decision to let the hostess know we were there. As I walked toward the desk I glanced in the direction my friends were facing. I saw Joel and Jenny (a friend from work and his girlfriend) at the bar.

'What a coincidence' I thought. I was a little confused, but they like to go out to restaurants/bars in this area so I did not think it was out of the realm of coincidental possibility. I went over to say 'hi' and then noticed Rob and Tom standing behind them. For a split second I was super confused. What? Why were they here? Is this a really huge coincidence? No. What? Wait. Would my boys really come all the way out here for me? I mean, I know they like me but I'm pretty sure they don't like me that much. What?

Needless to say I was so surprised. And flattered. I mean I know they think I'm okay for a girl; they tolerate me well. But the fact that they contacted my friend to ask if there was something planned for my birthday and wanted to be a part of it; I didn't think they liked me that much. It was really nice to know. It was also really cool to have my work-friends and my regular-friends getting to meet eachother; my two East Coast families hanging out together. I enjoyed the combination.

Dinner was good. The company was great. We skipped dessert because I had the coveted cupcakes waiting at home. The ladies and Tom came back to the house for the after party. Tom made fun of my plan to cut the cupcakes in little wedges so we could sample all of them, but it was my party and I could try them all if I want to. And we did. It was fun sampling all the flavors. The favorite hands down was the key lime cupcake. Runner up was any cupcake with the vanilla cream cheese frosting on top. I was disappointed with the chocolate peanut butter which I was sure was going to be my favorite. I loved sampling so many different kinds of cupcakes. It was truely a treat!

All in all it was a great birthday. Thanks to those involved for making it a special day. And thanks to everyone across the continent for their well wishes.

Key lime cupcake. * The inside display at Georgetown cupcake.