It was the best homecoming. When I left Pittsburgh, I apologized to my room for leaving. And when I came back? I gave her a HUGE hello. But first…I landed at our adorable Pittsburgh airport (voted 2017 Airport of the year #neverforget).

Getting ready in the airport bathroom. Classic.
And drove STRAIGHT to the Pittsburgh Improv where my boyfriend, Collin Chamberlin, met me at our favorite spot (in a parking lot). What a feeling it was to hug him after over a month of being apart!

BONUS: I watched him perform!
Jeremiah, Kendyll, Mike, (and a surprised Jan and Jill) were all there. At midnight, the staff sang “Happy Birthday” because, drumroll please…
duh duh duh duh duh (this is how I imagine a “drum roll” in writing sounds). It was officially Collin’s birthday!
After cake, we headed to the Dreamflat — Nate left it so nice ❤
February 2nd
COLLIN’S BIRTHDAY; aka my first Collin’s birthday.
In the morning, the handsome birthday boy got to open his cryptic present filled with lots of cards from friends from around the world! And a homemade geocaching (inspired) puzzle to solve.

11/11/2017 – Answer: A signed, Bruce Springsteen vinyl (single).

The family party!
(where Colleen gave me a phone pep talk <3)
At night, Brian and Andrew hosted an EPIC Super Bowl party!!!

with all the best food and all the best company.
Highlights included:
– Watching Pearl (try to) go under the TV to get her toy…and watching her come back out.
– Brian, hoisting me up and running around the room. What strength!
– “Ask your parents if they are watching the Super Bowl.” – Andrew
“Yeah. I hate this halftime show.” – Dad
– Katie Sowers 🙂 female coach, Kansas
Lowlights included:
– My car broke down and we had to leave it at Andrew and Brian’s house. Thank goodness for them letting me (always) store mouse at their house.
36 hours after arriving home, Collin and I flew Jet Blue to New York City – thank you, Bri! – chilled in the lounge, heard our names over the intercom (just how I like it), and had a layover in our favorite Boston.
New York City. What follows is, essentially, my diary.
February 3rd
For the first time in 6 weeks I had an evening to myself. I was productive af; got my inbox down to 15 and posted the final Guatebloga post (to be fair, that’s cashing in on Helen’s productivity). Here’s a quote that I enjoyed: ”We love the cooperative game we call traveling abroad together.” — Helen

Daliah listening to Ray’s instructions on how to cook Italian.
February 4th (and some other dates)
New York City bagels. Again, productive. A cleared inbox! Horrible therapy online. Geocaching in Astoria! During snuggles, *his* phone fell on my face. I met the incomparable Katie Barbaro for a yummy Thai dinner. And there was late night peanut butter off of a spoon.

Sam we am.
A bad comedy show that included a child. Backlava with Barbaro. There was also a morning walk that was canceled by the rain but we salvaged with bagels from Nate. The birthday boy told me that he is 0 to 60 and I’m 60 to zero. The team upgraded to ‘premium’ Geocaching, I’m committed. A nice hang with Steve at Gossip coffee (tea). Luce, the movie, on Netflix.
Katie Barbaro is on her way here! Joy storm is brewing!
February 8th
We spent the day in bed. And the evening was filled with comedy!

A great show at The Beauty Bar.

Cousin Wendy and (not pictured) Paul 🙂
February 9th (or, maybe I’m getting the date wrong)
A long walk.

Breakfast at The Thirsty Koala
Lunch with Wendy at Sweet Greens (thank you again!). We did search for, but couldn’t find, a geocache.
From my notebook:
“Tonight was delicious! New York City pizza! Followed by Insomnia cookies and a hang with THE Steve!”

Looking all famous or whatevahh
February 10th
A freezing cold walk. A geocache retrieved!

After going back a second time, we found it.
Meditation.

Double date bowling with pitchers of beer.
February 11th (I think)
Collin woke up with his arm through a hole in the blanket. “We’re homeless.”
A visit to Katie’s apartment! And a walk to look at possible condo’s I might buy. The Brazil nut, date combo became my new favorite dessert.
February 12th (I am now certain that the order of this blog is off.)
A meeting with Phillip! And then cake pops, because, reminder, this blog is called “Birthday Boy”.

Katie’s first geocache!
Central park at night.

Reenacting our first, CRUCIAL hang at Whole Foods
At Whole Foods, it was the time of my life. Here is my recap: Katie and I chose really good, healthy, inexpensive snacks and took.our.time. (Including blood oranges, the hot food bar, sweet, sweet dates, Brazil nuts, and “geocaching” for pecans within the mixed nuts.)
“I’m going to throw this out, directly.” – me
“Wait!!” – Katie
“Why?” – also Katie
“It’s a hazelnut.” – Sammi, the relentless food editor.
“That is a small almond!” – Katie, our hero.
At the cafe, a blood orange fell onto the table, not to be eaten. Katie, put it in the trash pile but, alas, how quickly we forget. I watched Katie find that piece of blood orange while saying “look what I found” with her eyes and simultaneously putting it into her mouth. Before I could say anything, I watched Katie – still making eye contact – turn from pleased to disgusted, realizing what she had done. She spit out the blood orange and the two of us laughed until we cried ❤️
“I have ecoli,” said Katie. “I can taste three diseases in my mouth right now”, she continued. We both felt high. “This is how one feels if Sammi likes you”, Katie explained.
On the walk to the train, Katie produced pocket chocolate that we both got to eat.
February 13th
Early airport run + a hang at one of our favorite lounges 😍
Kings are born in February.
Happy birthday, Goose, I love you.
‘mi

Sorry, ladies. He’s mine.