A Katy Stu kind of night!

A year ago, I only knew this woman by name.

This year, I had the privilege of spending her birthday with her,

celebrating all that she is, and all that she is becoming.

We gathered together over dinner,

and birthday muffins,

before heading out to meet with others,

also looking to celebrate,

with the music of our good friend 

Scott Mangene wafting over our laughter.

Now, it wouldn't be a Katy Stu kind of night, 

without a little bit of drama...

the kind of drama that is much of why I adore Katy Stu.

You see, Katy is possibly the most encouraging soul I know, in a very matter-of-fact 'of course this is the way it is' kind of way.  And, since she's the president of my fan club and my most vocal piano groupie, I get a lot of 'of course you're going to fulfill the gifts God gave you and play the piano' from her.  

Recently, however, she's moved onto singing, and here is where our birthday night drama enters:

Katy's Birthday Request: That I go up front and sing with Scott.

My Response: Absolutely Not.

She was a little grumpy with me after that.

It took me awhile to soften her up,

but eventually we worked out a compromise.

A) I would sing in her ear,

and B)

at least agree to a picture.

Drama resolved, 

we finished things off with a 'find Lauren's phone' adventure,

made infinitely more fun by the theme of the night: Katy Stu, with all of her enthusiasm for entering buildings late at night that may or may not be alarmed, and her insistence on sharing in every aspect of life with good friends.

Happy Birthday Katy Stu,

you're my favorite gift!