Randi Garner

I really hope you’ve heard Taylor Swift’s “22” song, and I really hope reading the title of this blog has you singing the chorus. Okay, and now I hope it’s stuck in your head, because it’s stuck in mine. If not, here you go *insert devious smiley face here*

“It feels like a perfect night to dress up like hipsters
And make fun of our exes, uh uh uh uh
It feels like a perfect night for breakfast at midnight
To fall in love with strangers uh uh uh uh
Yeah
We’re happy free confused and lonely at the same time
It’s miserable and magical oh yeah
Tonight’s the night when we forget about the deadlines, it’s time uh oh

I don’t know about you but I’m feeling 22″

Good luck getting that outta your head now!

But seriously though. Today is my BIRTHDAY. Look, I’m not keen on this whole getting older thing (who is?), but I’m totally okay with leaving behind the last year of my life.

I remember how excited I was to turn twenty-one. That day I went to a store to buy alcohol. The lady was in the process of scanning the bottle, and I already had my brand new of age license out ready to hand to her. She bagged the bottle, mumbled the price with a bored expression on her face, and waited for me to swipe my card. I blinked at her a few times with my license still in hand. Saying that I was bummed would be an understatement. I mean, I’d only waited twenty-one years to get carded!! But whatever. I get it. I looked older than what I really was. Blah blah blah. 

I’m ready to watch my best friend, Maddie, get married and have a new baby!! I’m ready to watch my nephew turn four-years-old and my niece turn three-years-old (okay, not really, because they need to stop growing up). I’m more than ready to go back to the ocean and walk the beach. I’m ready for a freaking winter break, because school’s got me like *insert exhausted, mentally drained, stressed out face here*

My day started out like this: I got up, took my time getting ready, and went to work.

This is what I walked into:

There are certain times in my life that I feel like words don’t suffice. These are one of those times. I’m just really grateful for my life and everyone in it right now. And if somebody would’ve told me last year that this is where I would be, I wouldn’t have believed them. I am in such a good place surrounded by such wonderful human beings.

For example. Coffee Cup (in Poteau) has this really amazing lemon berry cake that I love. Every time I’d go there, I’d get me a slice and bring it home. The cake is seriously amazing. It’s the type of cake that you have dreams about (yeah, it’s that good). Anyways, my awesome sister and Mom schemed together and ended up purchasing an ENTIRE cake. (So if you work at Coffee Cup in Poteau and are reading this, this is the story behind the weird lady that called asking to purchase a whole lemon berry cake, and the other woman they came in to pick it up). I honestly can’t believe they did this. I’m speechless, excited, happy, and my heart is so full right now. (My belly gonna be soon tho). But all the things they did for me this week… I can’t believe I got so lucky to have them as a sister and a mother.

For example. Maddie brought me something everyday this week. It wasn’t anything huge. It was just simple things that she knew I loved: pumpkin spice latte, Funyuns, little pieces of paper with sayings on them that I really needed to hear. It really wasn’t about the gifts, but that I have a best friend that literally gets this excited over my birthday. I appreciate her and her friendship soooo much. ❤

This post is kind of like saying, “Hey Randi, this is a new year of your life. Imagine all the things you’re going to be blogging about on your twenty-third birthday!?” Okay, but seriously, I just had a slight anxiety attack thinking that far ahead into the future.

This past year has taught me a lot about life, though.

Here’s a list, because I’m kind of obsessed with all things in list form.

1. Sometimes, people only come into our lives to teach us a lesson.
2. I will just know when I meet the ones that are supposed to be in my life forever, and I will do everything in my power to keep them around.
3. Family is everything.
4. Whatever you’re scared to do, go out and do it because
5. Nothing is as scary as it seems.
6. The universe can be cruel when it needs to be, but it will always explain later, though. When enough time has passed, and you’re ready to hear it. (I didn’t write this, I just found this quote by unknown on Pinterest, but I love it too much to not share.)
7. Music has the power to change my entire mood.
8. Live music can cure anything.
9. Dancing by myself can really cheer me up.
10. Fate is a real thing, and it does have my best interest at heart.

Point is, I’m grateful for the life I get to wake up and live. I’m genuinely excited for this next year of my life. I have amazing friends, the greatest family in the world, a job that I love, and I get to go to college and study the thing I love.

What more could I ask for?

Everyone had to wear “party hats” because Leo said so. He would literally follow you around with your “party hat” until you put it back on. ❤

I’m grateful that I got to come home to my family after work (b/c I totally skipped class today) to a home cooked meal. I’m grateful that I got to sit at the dinner table with my family and my best friend and her family and tell stories and laugh. It was literally the perfect way to spend my 22nd birthday. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

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I’m grateful that I get to write about things like turning twenty-two.

I’m grateful that I have readers.

To everyone that continuously gets on here and views my blogs

Thank you for your kind words

The Wedding Dress • Part Two got over 2,500 views

Your support has blown me away.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING MY STORY A CHANCE

I hope you have a wonderful day. Listen to Kelsea Ballerini’s new album, Unapologetically. Personally, “End of the World” is my favorite song on it. Go read a good book. I recommend Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. It changed my life. (Not being dramatic!) Go get you a coffee, because why not? Wear a jacket, because it’s freezing outside. Call your Mom and tell her you love her, just because. And then call your Dad and do the same thing. Because life is too short not to do these things.