Twenty-eight

Turning (gulp) 28.... When Sam and I were little and the basement was a wide open space we used to play house. We had our cabbage patch dolls and imagination.. First, we would choose our boyfriends - this for me was always drama because I of course wanted the guy Sam chose the time before. So like calling shotgun it was first come first serve in the boyfriend department... Names that come to mind for our imaginative world were: Dean Cain... Jason Priestley (aka Brandon Walsh).. Luke Perry (Dylan McKay)-and other names that if I actually write them might be more embarrassing. Second we would chose our ages.. this again was like a shot gun moment because it was always a fight over who was 28. I have no idea why this number held such a special meaning in our heads but 28 was the age I wanted to be most. After those two pivotal points were chosen the remaining time playing house was enjoyable. Fast forward to yesterday and I am now that age I always wanted to be!! 

To start the birthday celebration I received a cryptic text from Cher that said "Picking you up at 9:20 sharp.. Wear a sundress and a little sweater because the restaurant might be chilly also bring a passport and swimsuit" At 9:20 I was whisked away toward Duval Street. We parked near the Weston and walked toward Mallory Square. Cher had planned a great brunch on Sunset Key at Latitudes and we were to board the ferry and take the 5-10 minute ride to the island. 

For reference in this photo the island in the background is "Sunset Key" and the  boat heading toward us is the ferry

To get out we had to travel toward the front of the cruise ship and go under the lines leading toward shore. Kinda creepy!! That ship is so tall... 

The building to the right behind the palm trees is "Latitudes" 

The beach in front of Latitudes 

Sunset Key is a private island and there are only certain areas that you are allowed in. To use the beach it is $40 a person if you are not a Westin guest. You can also rent villas out here which would/could be pretty awesome.

Brunch view
We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. I tried Eggs Benedict for the first time- it was amazing! 

After brunch we headed back toward Key West and spent the remaining afternoon shopping as well as preparing for fantasy fest. From 4:30 - 6:30 I went to soccer practice - yes I am an assistant coach for the U-14 girls. They are very funny but yesterday they were very distracted by the young boys who were practicing at the other corner of the field. After practice Rick and I got ready to head toward Duval for dinner with our roadies of "Rick Thompsons"

We decided to try a new restaurant and chose "Hot Tin Roof" for this adventure. The restaurant had a very neat atmosphere - and we were seated in a huge private curved booth. I made Rick slide toward the back to sit near me instead of our standard straight across seating. I am not sure he liked it..

Rick obviously got a burger :)

After dinner we went to a bar that is climbing the charts as one of our favorites- Smokin Tuna Saloon. I like this bar because it is all outdoors and it has great live music. Plus it is a little off of Duval so it doesn't tend to be that crowded and you can't here the crazy yelling girls from the new Coyote Ugly.

At Smokn Tuna we watched the Packers/Sea Hawks game before the ref drama and talked with the bartender. His name was Steve and he had recently moved to K.W from New Orleans. Steve had spent two years in Cedar Rapids but quickly realized he didn't like it and they moved to Wyoming. I am not sure what isn't to like about Cedar Rapids, except the smell when you first drive into town.. I am sorry but it really stinks! After the standard where are you from and how did you end up here conversation Steve informs us that he had just recently met another couple that had moved down from Iowa.. WHAT!! I was very excited to hear this news because maybe we would have something in common with this other couple...who are they - I wonder if we will meet them. Rick informs me after we had road our bikes home that we were that other couple that had moved here from Iowa. Turns out Rick and Steve had already had the conversation of where are you from how did you get here about 2 weeks ago. Damn it. 

Thank you again for all of the wonderful birthday wishes. Miss you all.. Come visit soon 

XOXO

R&M