Last Thursday I turned 28. Twenty eight.
That feels ridiculously old. Ridiculous because I know that’s not old, but old not because of the number, but because life moves fast. When did I become 28? Last week apparently.
It was a very low key birthday and I was so thankful. Internally, I was hoping nobody remembered. We have celebrated so much with the wedding and the thought of more attention and celebrating was overwhelming to me. Although thank you to everyone for all the sweet birthday wishes and love.
Nick predicted I’d be overwhelmed, so a month before my birthday he made reservations to celebrate with dinner at Gramercy Tavern with just the two of us. I didn’t take any pictures except this one as I walked in and it was the most perfect, fully present birthday. Quiet, intimate, special and at a place we’ve both been really wanting to go for years. The service was unreal and the best food of the night was the wine (of course) the lobster spaghetti and the coconut meringue cake for dessert. Ohhhhh, that CAKE.
That was Thursday, I worked 10am to 11pm Friday, and then Saturday we stayed around the apartment, built a bar cart, finally moved in some furniture and then I hung out with a couple girlfriends (because we now live in the same building!) while Nick headed back to his apartment to watch the UNC game with some guys. I’m now a Tar Heel because Nick is and I love watching the games, but it didn’t start till 9pm and I needed some good gf time. So we ordered Mexican and drank wine instead.
It feels so good to have furniture to sit on! You guys, Craigslist is a total gold mine in New York. We got this coffee table, couch and chair all off Craiglist and paid like 25% of what they cost from places like West Elm, Room & Board and ABC Carpet and Home — so I’m a Craigslist super fan.
Sleeping in a king bed feels so dreamy, although I can’t wait for Nick to get here too. This Restoration Hardware dresser we also nabbed off Craigslist for what feels like pennies.
And although I’m eating off tupperware lids currently because we don’t have plates, the kitchen is my favorite place. It’s only spacious by New York standards, but to us it feels exciting since we both can be in the kitchen at the same time and not be walking all over each other.
I feel like I need to paint a realistic picture because although yes, this is such a magical season of life and it feels like we’re playing house at times and we’re so stupid grateful, I always want people to know that life is not rainbows and butterflies. Saturday, before the bar cart building and wine and Mexican, Nick and I had a bumpy afternoon. I was in tears, Nick was frustrated, and there we were sitting on the couch for over an hour trying to solve problems and grow to understand one another better. I say all that because I never, ever, want my life or our life to not show both the lows with the highs. Life’s messy and that’s okay.
Twenty seven was the most roller coaster year of my life. I experienced the sharpest tragedy of death, yet the fiercest joy of engagement all within a 3 month timespan. Mingled with the best moments of of Nick and I’s lives full of pure excitement and love has been moments of deep insecurity, shame, disagreement and lots of growing pains…all that on the other side is good and refining, but in the moment it’s….woof.
This world is a mess of imperfection and I’m right smack in the middle, reaching for gratitude at every turn. I’m so thankful for you guysΒ and there’s so much to be freaking grateful for.
Since this whole post is a bit of a mishmash, some eats from the weekend included breakfast yesterday of 2 fried eggs, toast with butter + jam and banana + PB.
Post workout green smoothies made with almond milk, frozen banana, a scoop of peanut butter chocolate Amazing Grass, frozen spinach and ice.
And dinner last night after church was Bare Burger…before church I told Nick I was craving a burger so we needed to find a burger spot instead of our usual Thai.
I ordered the Southern Caviar in a steamed collard green wrap. Nick got the same thing on a bun. I went with the greens not because buns or bread are “bad” (see breakfast above) but because I wanted room in my stomach for lots of SP fries since that’s what I was craving and buns aren’t that exciting for me…the beef and cheese and toppings are. It’s all about the motivation for a food choice – are you eating something because you want toΒ or because you think you should?
Prior to the burgers we started with their crispy brussel sprouts…think brussels fried in olive oil and topped with parmesan and lemon. So dreamy.
Have the best week no matter how messy it gets.
Yay so happy you got some furniture in…it looks really great! I just moved last weekend too so I know the feeling of trying to get settled! The tenant prior to us left behind a couch, a set of drawers, dining room chairs, and a lamp that we took for free! Life does indeed get messy–thanks for the reminder that it’s okay π
That’s so awesome they left all that stuff for you! good luck settling and embracing the mess π
Love that you show that life/relationships are not always butterflies! Sorry to hear about the death, I had no idea. As always, I love the “real-ness” your blog portrays! I always look forward to reading.
Mallory
like is a journey of highs and lows – we have to learn to embrace it. have a great week! xo
Life is messy! After almost 3 years of marriage I can confirm that sometimes I am obsessed with my obsessed and want to do everything with him and other times I need to take a day to myself. We both try to cultivate our own individual lives so that we can have that balance! Marriage is beautiful.
Also I’m not much of a bun person either but yesterday I had the most delicious bun for a pulled pork sandwich. I guess I’m just picky about my buns! π
I think having your own individual lives is so so important – it’s cultivates a non co-dependent relationship.
Oh that sandwich sounds FAB !
I love your openness and honesty and realness! the best π
p.s. YESSS go heels!!
WIN!!!!
Cheers to the new place and getting ready for life with Nick! I was in a similar boat a couple weeks ago moving into a new place. My fiance and I were trying to reassemble furniture which always has a long middle of me in tears and him frustrated. The end result was usable furniture and gratitude for the grace that gets us through. Definitely not the most glamorous part of the relationship but always makes me grateful to have met such a patient man! Happy Monday!
oh girl how we can relate to every sentence you wrote – praise God for patient men π
I agree- Life IS messy and Eating IS messy. but sometimes its more fun that way. Thanks for the look into your life… I love it!
SO MUCH more fun π
Moving in together is such a sweet and exciting time, but can definitely be really challenging too. I think is especially true these days when people are often very established in their individual routines and lives by the time they make that step. Thanks for your honesty!
yes! I say all the time that when people use to get married (and still do) at 22 or something, maybe it’s easier because you’re less “established” in your way of life…just a theory π
Thank you Robyn for your honest and real post yet again. Love getting your blog posts when I wake in the moment. It gives me hope in my own recovery from AN- normalizing eating and enjoying what comes with it. Thank you xx
Keep forward thinking! You have purpose beyond AN and you were created to live FREE. praying for you megan xo
Goodness yes is life messy! I appreciate you never sugarcoating anything because whom are the people who do that fooing? Admitting that our lives aren’t all glam and glitz isn’t shameful or unappreciative. It’s making us real. So you literally are the -real- life RD (didn’t intend to go there π ).
Your apartment looks awesome already and those are great furniture deals! Destiny meant well with you there. I’m not from the US but have heard about the struggle of finding a nice and affordable apartment in New York so I’m happy you and Nick did in time for the wedding!
Oh and belated happy birthday!
thank you miss polkadot π
an apt in NYC is no easy task but we are grateful it is over!
I love this. My fiance and I are also going to be apartment hunting in NYC soon and are preparing to move into together… so I relate. It’s messy and wonderful at the same time. I am curious about these Craiglist deals though! How are you moving all of this furniture in the city?
oh I am praying for you guys and a smooth search! we have a friend with a car, but then Nick rented a Uhaul for the couch, chair, dresser and we did it all in one swoop – oh the adventures of the city π
So happy that you have some good furniture finds! And thanks for the reminder that life can be crazy and messy <3
I’m in it with you!
Your apartment looks beautiful and I love the set up so far! Also, awesome that Nick is a Tar Heel too! Does he have family in NC?
He SURE IS – and today is a good day π
He went to UNC, but all our family is in Indiana and Illinois
Happy belated birthday! I’m turning 28 soon too and it’s crazy to think that I’m nearing 30! Really gets you thinking about life. It IS messy and I can’t say I’ve figured out how to accept that yet. Maybe that’s what my 30s are for haha.
we aren’t 30 yet though! π
Think you would appreciate this one!!
http://www.street-smartnutrition.com/dont-judge-my-food/
Why do your posts always seem to come at the time when I need some reassuring words the most! Thanks for that little reminder as I’m in a messy/bumpy place myself! Happy belated bday!
I LOVE how you highlight the LOWS & HIGHS..! As always, I love reading! <3
Happy belated birthday! I know what you mean – I turned 30 last year and I don’t feel old (other than my non-existent desire to stay up past 10pm) but I’m like where did the time go?! Wasn’t I just 23? LOL
Thanks for another real post Robyn…I LOVE your apartment – very bright and spacious! And I can totally relate to the messiness of relationships and how we can go from 0 to 10 in a heartbeat. With kids it heightens that even more I think (the more personalities and responsibilities to get messy with!)…we can feel like we have it all going smoothly and then in an instant, I can feel like we have totally screwed the kids up and our family is falling apart! Thankfully we have been able to heal and transform from those moments to feel some grace and beauty…..until the next mess comes! I try to remember that the minutia of the day to day will not be that significant in a few years – that the relationships and love are what matters. Sometimes tough to remember in the moment though!
Thanks so much Suzanne! I can only imagine the grace that comes with having kids and trying to maintain a healthy marriage – so much love to you and your fam!
oh and…. – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
What a tremendous year of realizing God’s grace more in the midst of life’s messiness. I’m thankful that you and Nick are so good for each other; that you’ve been working through things, learning, and growing in big ways. And I hope you had a really sweet birthday dinner with just the two of you.
Thank you so much Emily! HE IS SO GOOD. xo
Are you and Nick waiting to move in together for religious (I dont even know if I want to say religious because that puts it in such a box… maybe I mean more “personal”) reasons? I find that to be really interesting and noble especially since its so rare these days. Would love to hear a little bit more about your reasoning behind it, if you feel comfortable of course!
Yes π And for lack of a better word “religious” is okay ha but I love the world FAITH instead – Religion to me means rules and faith is a gift that comes with abundant grace π It is so rare these days and we have gotten asked about it sooo many times but I love talking to people about it! As Christians, we believe that living together and sleeping together should be saved for inside of marriage as God designed it – now I didn’t come to Christ till I was 24 so I certainly have done my college and young 20s thing π – but waiting until after marriage to live together, sleep together etc etc is super important to us and something we want to be obedient to. Hope that helps! xo
Thanks for the thoughtful response. I am very respectful of that! It’s nice to hear a little about it, too, since you’re right, its rare! I just moved to NYC and I’m loving looking back at all of your posts. Can’t wait to try some of your faves!