Our journey to Liberty, Ohio was smooth and stress-free, all thanks to Darius and his careful driving. I have to give him his flowers—he really knows how to keep everyone safe on the road. Of course, I couldn’t help but poke a little fun at him for driving like a grandpa, but in truth, I’m so grateful for his patience and focus. Praise God for watching over us and getting us to our destination without a hitch!
We’re staying in a lovely area of Liberty, and I was pleasantly surprised by how charming and peaceful the surroundings are. It definitely has that small-town feel with nice little gems tucked here and there. Not far from where we’re staying, there’s this cute spot called Taste of Belgium. Now, if you’ve ever eaten at one in Chicago—or wait, scratch that, we’re in Ohio now!—you know this is one of those places that’s a must-try if you're in the area. The weather added a little extra flavor to the experience too—it was cool, crisp, and had that kind of refreshing chill that wakes you up and puts a bounce in your step.
Once we settled in, I ran into little Tay and couldn’t help but ask, “Did you have a good day at school today?” He’s always got this energy that makes you smile. Not long after, I was thrilled to wish the birthday girl in our group the happiest birthday. She looked so radiant, and honestly, everyone brought their A-game with their outfits. The vibe was joyful, warm, and full of love.
We had a moment of concern when one of the guys mentioned he hadn’t been feeling too great earlier that morning. He said his lungs were bothering him, and he had to toss the covers off and push through. I jokingly accused him of trying to share his germs with the group, but of course, we were just playing around. He was in good spirits by the time we started the party.
order:
- 7.5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven: https://amzn.to/4dcUqms
- Lodge Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Skillet: https://amzn.to/3TyyMSA
- Bamboo Seasonings Box with Mini Spoon: https://amzn.to/4dfHzA6
One of the sweetest highlights of the night was when she received a bouquet of birthday flowers. You already know how I feel about flowers—I adore them—so that moment melted my heart too. There was a small hiccup when the bouquet started to fall apart a bit, but we quickly fixed it up, and it didn’t take away from how touching that moment was. Phones were out, cameras flashing, videos rolling—it felt like a red-carpet moment! I couldn’t help but laugh and say, “Y’all really out here filming me, huh?”
And yes, what’s a birthday without cupcakes? She made her wish, blew out the candles, and said, “I love cupcakes!” It was such a sweet moment. Now, I’ll be real—I’m not the biggest fan of the whole candle-blowing tradition, but seeing her so happy made it all worth it. Later, we even sent her some birthday love on Snapchat, and someone gifted her an Amazon gift card, which was such a thoughtful and useful present!
All in all, it was a cozy, meaningful, and laughter-filled gathering. I left the party feeling so blessed to be surrounded by such beautiful souls and to be part of a celebration that felt personal and full of joy. Moments like these are the ones that stay in your heart forever.
