Thank you, Bellingham

Sometimes my family or out-of-town friends will ask me what it is I love so much about Bellingham.  My canned response is something like, “I just have a good thing going on up here.”  I think yesterday was a great testament to that.

Yesterday was my 26th birthday.  Typically, I discourage acknowledgment of my birthday, don’t have a celebration, and would much rather just let it pass anonymously–in fact, there were two years specifically (in Bellingham) that I can think of that I made a deliberate effort to pass through the day without it being known.  I can’t really pinpoint why, I think I may have just been afraid of letting in too much vanity, or maybe I was nervous that it wouldn’t be acknowledged anyway, and I didn’t want my friends to let me down.
For another unknown reason, this year I just decided to let it happen.  I made a facebook event and invited my friends to eat dinner with me, and whoever showed up would be fine–even it was just me with a book, I really think I would have been satisfied.
What I didn’t know was that the exact opposite would happen!  Although many dear friends declined my invitation for all kinds of reasons, plenty more packed the restaurant, and we feasted on delicious wood-fired pizza, smoked pulled pork sandwiches, and beer.  Friends of all ages and all the various places I’ve spent time with up here in Bellingham came and blew me away.  I was in shock all night (still am) at how many folks turned out, and was really moved by the room full of people who took the time to come out and let me know they appreciated  my friendship.

So, when my family asks me next time why I love it so much up here in Bellingham, I will feebly attempt to respond by reciting this list of attendees at my 26th birthday party:

Sarah Condreay, Anne & Robert Campbell (w/a Superman balloon), Randy & Pam Pries (thank you so much for dinner!), Ben & Shannon Pries, Kyle Hermansen & Emily Oldis, Bobby Morgan & Emily Nelson, Brian & Dawn “Mama Queen” Mankle, Sherae York-Tillis & Marie York, Kurt Swanson, Jeremy & Kjirstin Glessner, Melissa Haugland, Anna Dean & Matt Chandler, Matt & Laura & Charissa Atkins, Sean & Julie & kids Hall, Joe & Jody & kids Hoppis, Kelli & Milan (best bud) & Chayse Gauthier, Caleb & Hannah & Nora Atkins, BJ & Rachel & fetus Louws, Kyle & Lindsay & kids Anderson, Allison Lindsay, Casey Burton, Jeff & Taryn Dunkin, Brett VanLeeuwen & Kelsey Robbins, Brian Wright & Larisa, Lionel & kids Thompson, Pete & Sarah Day, Andrea Guignard, Erin Harvey, Trevor & Heather & Mad-dogg & Mad Max Ince, Janelly-beans Warrington, Seth Nuckolls, Ty Chang, Rachel Handy, Lisa Schwank, Garrett & Tanya Lamp, Ryan & Renae Schultheis, Brandon White & Jessica Hanna, Grant Driver & Amanda Schroeder, Kalen Roe, Andrew Hamilton & Kelsey Strong, Jessica Andrews, Leann Avery, Paige Huttula, Trevor Swezey & Priscilla Cordoba, Joe & Whitney Gastineau, Kurtis & Rose Schultz Kevin Davey & Shanna Pierce.

I appreciate that each and every one of you came out to at least say hey and break bread with me at my first birthday party since high school!  I was sorry to have missed those of you out there who couldn’t make it, but you can have me over for dinner some other time real soon!
Thank you also to Tony Bouchard, Isaac Bonnell, Ryan Wynne, Sean Echelbarger, & Erika Savoy, for enduring working with me every day, and for celebrating yesterday!  Thanks also to the crews at Lettered Streets Coffeehouse & Avellino on Railroad for the delicious birthday coffees.  Also to Chelsea Jahn & Tino Quiroga for ringing in my birthday late Monday night!

It should also be noted that the crew at Jeckyl & Hyde Deli & Ale House absolutely worked their butts off for us.  I predicted 40-ish people, and we gave them 91.  But they somehow made it happen, and were very gracious about it all to me.  🙂  Please, please, please be a new regular customer for them!
Thanks also to Anna Dean for the best carrot cake I’ve ever had, and to Emily Oldis for the best snickerdoodles I’ve ever had.
Final thanks goes to Jim Parker at The Bayou on Bay Oyster Bar, for the delicious nightcap cocktails, and for the old-timey joke-off.  For those who weren’t there, Jim and I roasted each other old-school style, and after going toe-to-toe for about 5 rounds with Jim, I have to warn you to bring your A-game if you want to take him on.  He’s a master.

Anyway, just wanted to publicly thank all of you for being so great to me.  This city is nothing but a bunch of buildings & cars & trees if not for you.  I probably couldn’t scrutinize and define this community, but what I do know is that we have something unique and very special here.  And I will do nothing but my absolute best to be grateful for it, and for you.

Thank you all so much.