Come On, Feel the Noise.

Girls, rock your boys.  And let's set off a quiet riot today for the grand ol' state of Illinois. Because today in 1818, Illinois became the 21st state to be admitted to the Union.  Plus it's also Abby G's 25th birthday (Happy Birthday Ab).

And we are excited about those things.  Because we love all the peeps who have at one time, inhabited The Prairie State. Honest Abe, for example. Carl Sandburg.  Kanye.  Chuck Anderson.  Vince Vaughn. Walt Disney. Hemingway. Bill Murray. Oprah. Oprah's dogs. Reagan. Miles Davis. Shel Silverstein, to name a few.  

We are the state that established Casimir Pulaski Day.  Built the first skyscraper (1885). We have the Cowtown that survived the Great Chicago Fire. We are the inventer of the ice cream sundae (Evanston).  Our state dance is square dancing, we're that fuggin' happy. We have the world's largest public library, with more than 2 million books (Chicago Public). We had the '85 Bears. We had the dearly loved iconic flagship department store Marshall Field's, on State Street (1852-2006).  We have the Sears Tower, inspired from a pack of cigarettes.   We are the sixth most populous state in the U.S.  With over 12 million people.  And we have Da Cubs. And Da Sox. Da Bulls. Da Blackhawks.  And even Da Fire.  We have competed in the Illinois History Fairs.  And we made our first chunk of change, detasslin' the Illinois corn.  

We get shivers up our spine when we see the Chicago skyline. We get twinkles in our eyes when we explore this miraculous playground.  We love the tradition and history that we see, and live.  And last but certainly not least, are some of our dearest friends and loved ones that we have met along the way.  Cheers to you, Illinois.

*f & j