St. Patty's Day Memories

I love March for so many reasons. Spring is finally on it's way, spring break is nearly here and the month flies by because of spring break, so the end school year feels that much closer (And the end of my college career! WOOO!!!)

But my favorite part about March is one holiday in particular: St. Patrick's Day. For most of my life, I have celebrated this holiday like others and deck myself out in green. But not just a little green, ALL green. It's not hard for me to do as it's my favorite color and I love the fact that there's a holiday centered around wearing my favorite color. I tend to wear so much green that sometimes look like I'm dressing up for St. Patrick's Day throughout the year.

Can you see why?

(FYI: I bought those boots and pants just last week, not considering both items were green or that I was unknowingly referencing a Geico commerical.)

Last year for St. Patrick's Day, I spent part of my day at work and then hung out with my friend, Lauren. We visited the Cincinnati Museum Center and afterwards went to Yard House. I, of course, wanted to channel my Irish roots and ordered a shepherd's pie. What we did on St. Patrick's Day wasn't typical, but it was fun day. There were people in green everywhere we went and we had a great time.

This is a photo she took of me with my shepherd's pie and yes, it was about a foot in diameter. It was good, but too much for me to handle!

Another reason why I love St. Patrick's Day is because the holiday is tied to my boyfriend, Kyle. His birthday is on the same day and his Catholic name is Patrick, the patron saint the holiday is named after.

I learned this a few months before we started dating from a trip we went on years ago in our high school marching band. Of all St. Patrick's Day, this was my most memorable. It was our freshman year of high school (2008) and our band got the oppotunity to perform in the Chicago's St. Patrick's Day parade. The whole trip wasn't bad as we got to go to the Medieval Times Dinner Theater, Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier, where I made the terrible decision to ride a ferris wheel in 40 degree temperatures. Ironically, St. Patrick's Day ended up being my least favorite day of the trip. After preparing months for the parade, getting to the parade early and waiting hours to perform, it only took 15 minutes and we found out that we didn't get on T.V., which our band director said we would. We also didn't get to see the Chicago River dyed green. :(

No matter what I do for St. Patrick's Day, I try to make the best of it and make sure to wear my St. Patrick's Day beads (You may have noticed them in the picture of me at Yard House.) I received some of these beads during the trip to Chicago and have kept them since to wear each year. Below is a picture of all of the ones I've collected over the years with my band ones second and third from the left.

I don't know what I'll do this year, but as long as it's memorable (like my St. Patrick's Days in the past) and I have my beads, I'm happy. :)

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