Chi-rish

There are few things I know about Chicago. They are as follow:

1. It is cold 95% of the time, and the wind is the worst, but when it is over, for the very very short time it is over, the summers are EPIC. Full disclosure, I don't actually know this, I haven't been here in the summer. But I take everyone's word for it.

2. Oprah

3. It's a grid- I'm slowly learning this.

4. The food. Oh the food.

5. St. Patrick's Day here is the most epic of all St. Patrick's Days.

I am going to focus on #5 in this post. I will keep you all posted on the others. I'm going to bet I'll never meet Oprah so that's just a fun fact for now.

Back to the business at hand. The business of green beer & shenanigans.

My friends are the best. I know everyone thinks that, but these girls really are amazing. My last night in Orlando, they all surprised me with their flights booked to Chicago for the St. Patrick's weekend. I literally could not contain my excitement. Best surprise ever.

I had ^ this many girls staying in my itty bitty place at one time (you might remember it from here.) We're actually missing one. Other than about 3 photos, I don't think all us girls were in one place at once. So this will have to suffice.

Everyone arrived at all different times, but there wasn't much question as to what we should do once we were together. Have beverages immediately, obviously. 

We were too into our drinks, laughing and catching up so there were zero photos taken at this pit stop. Plug: If you happen to be in Chicago and like amazing food, I highly recommend Beatrix- the gals loved it, as do I.

We all felt this way after, so it was off to the liquor store to stock up, naturally.

Mind you this was a Friday, the St. Patty's mayhem was taking place the next day, so drinking needed to be limited to daytime only to preserve our energy for Sat.. So, off to the Hancock Signature Room we went!

Drinks get a bit pricey at 96 stories high. So, we kept it classy and went with beers. We also decided to mix it up and got 312 across the board.

A little blurry, but hey. At least we took a picture. And look at that, Relax Grill is always making an appearance! Man I miss that place.

Who were we kidding? Day drinking always turns into night drinking. 

We went to a local pub just around the corner from my place after Hanckock. Next, out for dinner where we made up for two birthdays I missed while I've been away. The plan after was to go home and go to bed. 

Of course we didn't do any of that. We went to Butch McGuire's for one drink. 

That's a lie too, we stayed out until like 2am. We only had a couple days together people!

And for the main event. St. Patrick's Day!

I did the whole- wake up at 6am, get to the Irish bar on the river at the crack of dawn, watch the river as it turns green thing- last year. Honestly, the 2pm crash wasn't worth it. You know what's worth it? sleeping and not hating your life halfway through the day because you just can't drink anymore. Or maybe I'm getting old. 

The day started on the rooftop.

{yes, the shirts say "shit me i'm kiss faced"and they were hilarious}

Let's just say the rooftop drinking lasted much longer than we anticipated, and when it ended, it ended very abruptly when a series of cold winds ensued.

{we were off to the land of the green river, beer, and hilarity}

We had intended to head straight to the river- but of course we b-lined it for the first bar we saw that didn't have a mile line outside. I think it was called Boss? I have no clue. I still barely know where I live.

{there were shots}

{there were selfies. there was dancing. there was a green wig}

{it was epic.}

And, Eventually...

{we made it!}

{the river had been green for a hot minute, but at least we saw it!}

What an amazing time we had. The day continued into the night, where we naturally had to make our way to...

{our stomping ground, no matter what city we're in}

There are so many hilarious moments and stories I'm sure I have missed from the day/night- but once the last of us remembered we aren't college freshman anymore, and it's time for bed, we made our way back to my place. We laughed, attempted to order jimmy johns, and eventually, it was bed time.

{aren't they cuuute}

Sunday, it was back to unlimited mimosas at brunch. Us girls have still got it- if we can handle a day like that, and still champ up the nest morning and stay true to the tradition that is Sunday Funday, we are officially not old yet. 

Again no pics, we were focused on outrunning the inevitable hangover. But once we were at least a step ahead of a hangy, we moved the day along back to Butch McGuires. Had to send the girls off on a fun note!

Also... we experienced a first. We were sent soup. The bartender's exact words were: "ladies, those gentlemen over there wanted to send you some soup, on them." Literally. I could not stop laughing. Stick to drinks boys. 

Now, let's not forget they're all tourists, and let's be honest, I may as well be one too. So, off to the bean we went! It's one of those necessary pics if you come to Chicago. If you leave without a picture of the bean, you're the worst - it's free and the pics turn out awesome. 

{the bean}

Well, to say I had a blast would be an understatement. I am blessed to have the group of girlfriends I do, but I'm even more grateful we're able to still stay so connected. FaceTime, social media, the fact that we all have great jobs that allow us to travel- it's really incredible. I can't wait to see them again, I'll be O-Town bound in a few weeks, and I'm hungover just thinking about the plethora of wine nights we have in store.

Love you all to the moon and back- thank you again for being so gone with the wind fabulous (Meghann and Stephanie are probably the only ones who will get that.) Can't wait to reunite soon!

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