August: A Month Full of Birthdays…
August is a special month in my family because four of us celebrate birthdays. My grandmother Fannie, who is no longer with us, was born on August 1st. My birthday is on August 12th. My niece Noelle was born on August 27th. Finally, my mother was born on August 30th. Two Leos and two Virgos all in one month. Even though Leos typically want the limelight, this month was all about the Virgos. This year, Virgo Season ruled supreme.
August 2025 was especially meaningful because my mother was turning 70 and entering a new decade of her life. I wanted to do something special, but as usual, I was working with a limited budget. I racked my brain trying to come up with ideas that were fun yet frugal. Dinner and a show or a staycation in Downtown Phoenix crossed my mind, but none of those plans felt quite right. I also considered a Caftan and Cocktails–themed party, but my mother quickly shut that down.
Planning Mom’s Milestone Birthday
Eventually, I decided to ask my mother directly what she wanted to do. As usual, she didn’t have a clue. All she asked for was a drink at a nice bar or speakeasy. I thought that sounded reasonable, but it was only one activity. It wouldn’t fill an entire day.
I reached out to my brothers to see if they had suggestions or could contribute, but they were either strapped for cash or busy managing their own lives. So I continued planning on my own. All summer, I researched shows and hotels, but nothing felt like the right choice. My gut instinct kept telling me to wait.
When August arrived, I became anxious. Time was moving fast, and I still didn’t have a plan.
When Inspiration Finally Arrived
Thankfully, about two weeks before my mother’s birthday, my sister-in-law Felicia texted me to ask what I was planning. I explained my ideas, budget, and indecision. She immediately started offering suggestions.
First, she suggested flying my mother to Chicago to visit her sister Linda. I had considered this earlier in the year, but not for her birthday. I vetoed it because my aunt is very ill, and my mother felt uneasy visiting her alone. It didn’t feel like the right atmosphere for a milestone birthday.
Second, Felicia suggested flying my brother Kahlil to Arizona. Nice idea, but we both felt Mom would want to see the whole family. And since money was tight, flying everyone out wasn’t possible.
Finally, she offered a perfect solution: fly my mother to Minnesota so she could celebrate with them, attend Noelle’s party, and enjoy time with the entire family. It was the ideal mix of celebration and connection. My mother loves to travel and loves spending time with her grandkids, so this felt exactly right.
Booking the Trip
Once the plan was set, I needed to buy a one-way ticket for my mother and a round-trip ticket for myself. Thank goodness for Afterpay or Affirm because that made everything possible.
After the tickets were booked, Kahlil reached out asking what Mom wanted to do and where she wanted to eat. I asked her again so I wouldn’t guess wrong. Her only requests were a piece of steak and a good drink. I also reminded him that she wanted to visit a speakeasy.
Flying to Minnesota
The days leading up to the trip were exciting. My mother packed several days early, laying everything out in the guest bedroom to make sure she had everything she needed.
On Thursday, August 28th, we took an early flight to Minneapolis. We wanted to arrive the day before Noelle’s party, which was scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Noelle’s celebration was held at a family entertainment center with bowling, arcade games, and plenty of activities. Family and friends came out to usher her into her eighth year of life. We started with bowling, and let me tell you—WE SUCKED!! Gutter balls everywhere. We laughed the entire time.
After bowling, we sang happy birthday, ate pizza and cake, and let the kids loose in the arcade. Two hours flew by quickly, and soon we were packed up and heading home.
Gigi’s Big Day
The next day was Gigi’s birthday. I woke up early, got dressed, and enjoyed the quiet until everyone else got up. My mother joined me first, and we waited for my brother and Felicia to come downstairs with the itinerary.
Around 11 a.m., they revealed the plans. Kahlil had taken the lead and organized a full day of activities. I quickly changed into a cute dress because I realized I was underdressed.
Our first stop was a large art gallery housed in a downtown Minneapolis warehouse. Local artists filled the space with every style of art imaginable. After a couple of hours browsing, we ended our visit in a honey shop overflowing with honey products. We tasted so many varieties we left on a sugar high.
Next, we headed to Barcelona Wine Bar for a late lunch. We ordered a mix of tapas and savored every bite of those Mediterranean and Spanish flavors.
Afterward, we visited Char Bar, a speakeasy I had hoped Mom would enjoy—and she did. Hidden in the back of a restaurant, it was dark, moody, and full of character. We ordered drinks, including mocktails for Felicia and me, plus appetizers and desserts. Everything was delicious, especially the desserts. We bobbed our heads to old-school hip-hop and enjoyed every moment.
Our final stop was a rooftop bar downtown. I don’t remember the name, but it was crowded and full of energy. We ordered drinks, waited for a table, and eventually settled in to watch the sunset. It was the perfect ending to the day.
A Perfect Virgo Season
Overall, I think Kahlil and Felicia planned a fantastic day. Every activity was something my mother genuinely enjoys, and the pacing worked beautifully for her energy level. We started at a reasonable time and ended early enough to spend the evening with the grandkids.
The entire weekend was filled with love, laughter, and simple joys. I think we created memories she will hold onto forever. This Virgo Season was definitely one for the books.
