My birthdays generally involve two things. One is sitting around my house with my friends eating and talking. The other is sitting around my house with my family eating and talking. Two separate parties, lots of food, lots of love, but very chill.
My 21st birthday party was a little less low-key, but so fun. Aaand now I want to tell you all about it.
My mom checked out a few locations while I was still in Chicago, and when we talked over menus and prices and spaces, we landed on The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek. It’s a fantastic Cameron Mitchell restaurant that we’ve been to with my grandparents. I invited a few of my high school friends and my whole family.
On Monday, I saw the space for the first time. It had tons of natural light, which ended up being really great with the whole spring forward thing. Perfect picture lighting, even in the evening. I also finished setting the menu.
Needless to say, the food was insane. The sauerkraut balls were unexpectedly amazing. I mean, who fries balls of sauerkraut and sausage? But you should, because it’s a great idea. I also had the house salad, scallops, and peanut butter pie.
I was (proudly) one of the very few people who actually finished the pie. It was enormous and definitely the kind of super-rich dessert you share on not-your-birthday.
I was about to hold off on ordering a drink for a bit, but then the waitress looked at me and said, “You need alcohol.” Okay then. So I had a Hemingway, which I preferred to the fruity specialty cocktail on the menu. I had a few sips of my mom’s, and while it tasted like really good passionfruit juice, I prefer my drinks a little less sweet.
Before we ate, my mom gave a champagne toast that made me rather teary. No pictures of that because I was a little distracted.
All throughout the night, I caught up with my friends, not having seen any of them since December, and took a lot of pictures.
My cousin, Mason, helped me with the presents.
He did a good job warning me which ones were heavy. 😉
I got candy, bracelets, pens, makeup, tons of chocolate, some adorable Kate Spade kitchen towels and oven mitts, and some really cute spoons from Sweet Mint Handmade that I’m sure you’ll be seeing around here. My people know me well.
We also took a lot of family pictures.
And then we called it a night and I slept for nearly 10 hours.
Now, I am not a big party person, which is why my gatherings are usually small and laid back. I wanted to do something a little different this year, though, and I’m so glad. This party ranks up with my graduation party as being one of the most fun events of my short 21-year life. I smiled a lot and felt so very loved.
Your turn:
How was your weekend?
Are you a party person or do you prefer smaller gatherings?
This sounds like such a fun celebration Ellen. I’m usually more of a low-key gathering type of girl too, but I am glad you switched it up and still had fun!! Also love your dress girl!
Thanks, Alyssa! Never hurts to switch things up now and then ?
This is so great Ellen; I LOVE that you all went all out for your 21st birthday. I’m so thankful you have had 21 years on this earth; you are a gift to all who know you. This party looks just perfect and beautiful.
Thanks, Emily! It was an amazing day!
I love that you went all out for your 21st! You deserve it! I’ve never had a fancy party for myself, but my goodness, this is making me reconsider. Peanut butter pie? SIGN ME UP. You’re such a beautiful woman Ellen! So happy you had this day with your family to celebrate yourself.
Haha this is probably my first and last fancy party for a while but it was fun! Totally recommend it ?
Happy birthday again Ellen!!! Looks like an amazingly fun time…family/close friend parties are my fav and the absolute best!! ?
Thanks so much, Hannah!
Both the party and you were awesome. Loved you in that beautiful dress. A fun gathering for all those involved. Love you, girl!
Thanks so much for coming, Grandma. Love you!
Happy Birthday Ellen. This looks and sounds like a really special, beautiful evening. I’m definitely with you on keeping things intimate. There’s nothing better than sharing time (and food) with those you are closest to. Well done with the hemingway and the peanut butter pie. Atta girl.
Thanks so much, Cora! Hope your week is better than last ❤
Cute! It’s so nice to see some pics of you and not just food 😉 haha
That food looked delicious! I’m turning 21 this year and so I’m starting to think of how I want to celebrate. It’s gonna be a challenge to find a place and think of who to invite because my friends and family are all spread out!
But I do love a good party.
Trying to make “me pics” a more regular thing! Thank you! It’s definitely hard to get all your friends together, but even a few smaller meet ups is better than nothing!
What a special birthday! Nothing better than some delicious food and good friends and family. I’m not a big party person, but I did love going out to dinner with my friends when I turned 21 (with us all glammed up) and trying a few sips of alcohol. This was a nice weekend for me! Suuuuuuper productive on Saturday…and 100% lazy on Sunday, so a good combo!
Happy birthday, Ellen!! The peanut butter pie looks amazing- I wouldn’t have wanted to share, either! So glad to hear you had such a good celebration!
What a beautiful party! My 21st (yesterday- yay March babies!) was also low key. I will probably go out with friends this weekend but I did have a nice dinner and glass of wine with my family Sunday. Unfortunately I had to take a lifeguarding swim test on my bday evening, but I passed so it’s all good! That pie looks so great and I love scallops! Happy birthday!
What a beautiful party! How sweet is your mama for organising such a special night?!
I’m not a party person – but I do love to be surrounded by people I love so my ideal “party” is having our friends and family over for a casual dinner so we can all talk, laugh and have fun!
A very happy (and veryyy belated) birthday to you, Ellen! 🙂 It sounds like you had a blast and the food looks amazing–I love seafood, so those scallops look especially incredible. I’m generally not a party person, but if everyone there was super close to me and it was relaxed then I’d be up for it!
I’m SUCH a seafood person. Lol yep we sound pretty similar! ?
Happy 21st birthday! I’m definitely more of a small celebration person (like you normally do with just family and just friends), but I’m glad you got to celebrate big.
Thank you! It was the perfect celebration with so many of my favorite people 🙂