Oh, to be young again. I feel like it was only yesterday that I turned 20 years old. Now, I had the experience of helping someone turn 20 years young. Notice the different tense? I know, you’re thinking, what’s the difference?
Today, February 29th, 2016, is the birthday of a dear friend of mine. Even though she has travelled the world for the last 80 years, fitting more than one lifetime’s worth of adventures into her journey, Ann turns 20 today. Ann is a “Leapling”, the name given to people born on Leap Day! Can you imagine? You come into this world, and then, as a child, you realize you only have a birthday every four years.
20 years old, and with a lifetime’s experience. Love, children, travel, careers, friends. I met Ann when I was a young girl. We both lived on Orcas Island in the small “town” of Olga, Washington. She became a family friend, and eventually my personal friend. Ann and her husband always bought whatever I was selling when I knocked on their door with the latest school fundraising idea in hand. She was there for my graduation, my wedding day, my baby showers. Ann loves to travel and I am usually the lucky one who gets to pick her up from the airport and hear about her latest adventure. Ann even became the first person whose home I listed when I became a realtor.
This weekend we celebrated Ann’s birthday, which if you’re following along with me, doesn’t come along that often. Ironically, we celebrated Ann’s birthday a day early! Ann wanted an easy and delicious way to celebrate and so she invited her friends to a pancake breakfast. We gathered at our local American Legion Post for their monthly pancake breakfast which also serves as a fundraiser. Fresh buttermilk pancakes, crisp bacon, tender sausage, with eggs made to order. How could you go wrong? You can’t, especially if your friends are joining you on this special occasion, and then you follow it up with cake after breakfast. That’s right, you heard me, CAKE AFTER BREAKFAST! The delicious carrot cake was made with love and care from Bev at Café Olga. I know my two year old son thought it was an awesome way to celebrate, he even started off the Happy Birthday song for our friend Ann. What a wonderful time was had by all!
Happy 20th birthday Ann! I am so grateful for this island that brought us together.
