So I am in Chicago visiting my high school roommate and having a blast - of course like always I dont want to go home.  This is my home away from home.  I have SO many friends that I have met through my friend over the years by coming out here that welcome me with open arms everytime I come back.  I guess I make a bigger impression than I realize.  Officially - its my birthday today - and at 12:01am - my Chicago friends - most of them who I havent seen in YEARS all came out to celebrate.  One bought me a cake!!  I am floating on clouds tonight.  I couldnt have asked for a better night! 

But here is the best of it all - I met a guy almost 6 years ago when I was out here who remembered me and when he heard I was out here on Friday - he literally made a U-turn while going home from work to turn around and come out to see me.  Embarrassed as I was - I did not remember him at all.  But I was totally drawn to him when he came in - and he has these gorgeous eyes.  I had NO idea he came out to the restaurant to see ME the other night, he just showed up.  As we started talking - he reminded me that I met him years ago and that he had called me when I went back home and we talked for a couple of months on again off again.  As he told me this - I started remembering.  We talked for the rest of the night - and then New Years Eve he called my friend to find out what we were doing and met up with us.  We had such a great night together and my friend ended up going home with this guy she is seeing and asked if I wouldnt mind him driving me back to her house - I had no problem with that and spent the night talking to him.  Well - it was then he informed me that he had come out the other night just to see me and that he was so excited that I came out here.  He then told me that I gave him butterflies in his stomach when he came in and that he couldnt look me in the eyes because he got really nervous.  He was so sweet to me the whole night.  He invited us to come out to his restaurant tonight for dinner and me and my friend decided later in the day to go.  He was shocked and made sure we were totally taken care of for the night - including covering the very expensive dinner!!  He then asked if we were going to be going out for the night and asked if he could join us when he got off work - we said sure.

We all met at Dennys since it was late and thats when my friends brought out the cake and we all just talked and had a great time.  He then walked in - WITH A GIFT!!!  He had driven around Chicago looking for a bag of mint kitkats because earlier that day I was eating the last of them at my friends house and I made a comment as to how good they were.  He couldnt find them, but found regular ones and bought them for me.  And bought me a card which he wrote some really sweet stuff, but the best was "You have become even more beautiful in both mind and body and I really hope you will allow me to come and visit you soon". 

I honestly cannot believe what an effect I have had on another person - I know that there are a bunch of people in this world who have told me how important I have been to them and they light my life - but this situation really made me feel unbelievable which was exactly what I needed for my birthday.  I wanted to spend my birthday with my ex - and when I had to break up with him I planned this trip to make sure I was happy for my birthday.  I couldnt have asked for anything better.  Spending the weekend with friends who after years of not seeing them - all make sure they can find a way to spend it with me; and learning how I had affected a person's life without ever knowing I had.

I am going to see him again tomorrow before I leave.  He asked if we could go to lunch before I went to the airport - and even offered to drive me to the airport tomorrow.  If anything - I needed this ego boost.  It is so nice to know you have friends for life that will always welcome you with open arms years later.

Today - I am a happy woman.  I am very glad I took this trip and focused on loving myself and treating myself well for my birthday.