Just 10 days ago I celebrated my 31st birthday! It was a little more low-key than last year, but still a lot of fun. I was able to say goodbye to my 30th year with some of my favorite people at one of my favorite places - The Lake!

I’ve been spending summer weekends at the same lake ever since I was born. Countless birthdays mixed in with summer holidays have been filled with boating, swimming, and BBQing - with refreshing adult beverages, of course. There truly is no better way to enjoy summertime in the Midwest!

The Lake holds many of my favorite memories. It's also a natural meeting spot for my entire family (especially now that my parents live there part-time). In many ways I consider it “home”.

^^^ Here I am at 1 year old (sitting on top of my presents) ^^^

Sharing this special place with the next generation of Hackels brings me so much joy! I love watching these little girls make memories of their own at the same lake I grew up on.