So I know everyone thinks that they have the best friends on the planet...but trust me guys, my best friends, my people, my group, are the best people I know.

Have you ever seen the show, "Friends"? I have to admit. I love that show and I love how close those six are and how they do anything and everything together. I have always loved their friend group. They are silly and they can split off into smaller groups of two or three and then come back together and nothing ever changes. They have ups and downs and highs and lows and they are always there for each other no matter what. I used to be so envious of friend groups like that. I can't say I had that in high school but then came college.

So, my birthday happened to be last week. Our school has been prepping for new students to arrive, between Resident Advisor training, Student Government planning events, and all the student mentors preparing for New Student Institute to start, things had been pretty hectic. My birthday was right smack in the middle of all the chaos, so I wasn't expecting much. My friends were busy, I was busy, and we all had a million things to do so I figured maybe we could get ice cream late that night after everyone had realized it was my birthday or possibly forgotten.

I absolutely love birthdays! (Yes especially my own, but I do love birthdays in general.) I'm one of those people that treats my birthday like it's a national holiday or something, even though I know it's not. I love celebrating my friends and I love giving people gifts. So you can understand how worried I was as my birthday was approaching.

But man, oh man, was I wrong...

Picture this, it's the night before my birthday and we're all at a leadership retreat with our school, we had just finished our last session for the night and I was getting more and more excited. I started telling all my friends that my birthday was officially in 43 minutes!! I was way too excited, I will admit that... but my sweet friends made it the best birthday I have ever had.

First off, they all stayed awake with me until midnight, that's amazing in and of itself, but to make things even better, as soon as the clock struck midnight they all burst into song singing me happy birthday! I can't even express what just that meant to me. The fact that they all stayed up to sing and hug me and tell me happy birthday almost makes me want to cry right now just thinking about it.

Second, we got back from our retreat and I know everyone was exhausted, but then some of my best girl friends took me to Starbucks, and went shopping with me that day! I was and still am so grateful for their friendship. They took time out of their day to be with me and to spoil me and love on me. Wow wow wow, I am so lucky.

Third, all of my friends wanted to know what I wanted to do for my birthday, and they wouldn't let anyone else choose but me. The number of times I heard someone say, "No Kenedy, you get to pick today is your day" was unreal. So naturally like the typical college student I am, I chose to go to Chick-fil-A for dinner because...money. I was met there by about 10 smiling faces ready to have dinner with me and hang out with me. It was already the perfect day.

But wait...there's more!

Lastly, once the group of us had finished dinner, we went to a restaurant to get pizookies. (If you don't know what those are you are missing out.) I texted our group text and a whirlwind of people responded with "yes!", "I'm there!", "I wouldn't miss it!" I got to the restaurant and shortly after a table with over 20 people was filled with my very best friends. This huge group of people that all met in college and became best friends were all here for me, for my birthday. They came with cards, laughs, and so many hugs and wow, it was amazing. They sang me happy birthday not once, but twice (thanks, Christian) and it was so loud I felt like the whole restaurant stopped.

That was by far the most amazing birthday I have ever had. To all my friends that were there, thank you!! You guys are the most amazing friends I have ever had in my life and I wish you all knew how much I love and appreciate you.

For those that don't know me or my friends, trust me, I am lucky. I have a group of people that I know will always be there for me, they'll be here for my highs, lows, and everything in between. My advice to you, find yourself a group of friends that you will always be able to count on, find your people that will celebrate your birthday with you for all 24 hours of the day, sing to you three different times, and make you feel more loved than you ever have been. I am beyond lucky to have my people and I love you all.