Eight Friends, One Magnificent Birthday

Hello from Utah!

Yep! Right now I’m at my parents’ house with seven of my friends…for my BIRTHDAY! Yep, tomorrow is my special day!

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

Since we’re all able to work from home, we decided, why not work from Utah!

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

We’re escaping the city, escaping the heat, and spending time in the great outdoors!

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

So far, we’ve gone hiking, explored Main Street, did some cowboy hat shopping, gotten kicked out of a private VIP-only Bike Expo, and eaten at some absolutely delicious restaurants — everything from a gorgeous Italian restaurant in a historic building (that used to be a brothel during the mining town days!), to a hole-in-the-wall felafel place that serves feWAFFLES!

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

I’ve been documenting like crazy, so I’ll share all the yummy eats with you soon!

But sitting here, overlooking the mountains on the eve of my birthday, I can’t help but think about how incredibly blessed I am to have these friends. Back in high school and entering into college, when I was in the throes of a terrible eating disorder, I pushed away all the relationships in my life. That one thing people don’t tell you about anorexia — yes it destroys your body, but another devastating effect of the disease — in addition to mental and spiritual turmoil — is how it annihilates your relationships.

My friends, seeing me wasting away, were obviously concerned, and would call and call, but I didn’t return a phone call or text for two years.

I wanted to just be alone with my anorexia. I didn’t want anyone to see how sick I really was, and I certainly didn’t want to have to be accountable to anyone.

So I isolated myself completely. It was the loneliest season of my life. And most of those relationships never recovered.

So now, to be sitting here today, fully recovered: mind, body and spirit, I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by friends. Good people I love and who love me!

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

I truly feel as though my life has come full circle. That the terrible season of my life when I was enslaved to my anorexia some 13 years ago, has finally been fully and completely resolved.

It is something I thank God for every single day.

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

There is nothing He can’t do. Nothing He can’t make new. And nothing He wants more than for His children to have a full life of abundance, in every sense of the word. And these beautiful friendships are definitely a part of that.

So, as I head into this next trip around the sun, I’m going to really appreciate that full circle trip He’s brought me on, and with an immense gratitude for the blessing of friendship He’s provided.

Utah is more than just magnificent views and fabulous food! For me, it's also where recovery from anorexia comes full circle! With eight friends on my birthday! #recovery #anorexia #eatingdisorder #health #wellness #catholic #faith #travel #summer #friendship

Have a wonderful weekends, friends, and I’ll see you on Monday!

(For those interested, you can watch me tell my story below:)

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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108 responses to “Eight Friends, One Magnificent Birthday”

  2. Happy Birthday, Caralyn! Best wishes for your special day. So many beautiful photos, beautiful views and delicious food. Be well!! 🙏🏻❤️☺️🎂

    Reply

    • Thank you so much John, that really. Sans a lot. Yes! We’re having a wonderful time. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  3. The world was blessed with your beauty on this very special day.
    Thank you for being so truly great with the amazing personality you portray.

    Your grace cannot be matched as it’s unique in every way.
    Your heart cannot be snatched as you give love freely anyway.

    What I wish for you is for all your dreams to come shining through.
    What I pray for you is for your success, which is overdue.

    Happy birthday to you from someone who truly appreciates you.
    Happy birthday to you for all the good work that you always do.

    Reply

    • Oh my gosh what kind words. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your prayers are so appreciated. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

    • Hi Ang! Oh my gosh we’ve been having the best time! Thank you so much! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

    • Happy birthday! Hope it’s filled with wonderful moments that make awesome memories, and that there are many, MANY more to come!

      Reply

  12. Hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow filled with friends, love, and all the SCD-compliant cake you can eat!!!! 🎂🥳

    Reply

    • Thank you Vera! Oh my gosh I had the best birthday!! Hahaha while there was no cake, there were definitely a lot of belly laughs and special moments. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

    • Aw thank you so much Giselle!! You’re so right about that. Grateful everyday for His immense blessings in my life. Have a great night! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  14. Happy HAPPY birthday Caralyn! I watched your video…WOW! What a testimony! Bless you for sharing your story. You are a blessing-and you ARE worthy! 💖💖💖 (God bless your parents!)

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Shauna!! And wow, I appreciate you watching my video!! So touched by your kind words. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Jeff! Oh my gosh it’s been such a fun trip. I will definitely pass along your hello! 🙂 i hope you and your girls are having a great weekend so far! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  19. Happy Birthday, Caralyn! I had already seen the talk you gave at Jeff King’s church, so I almost didn’t click play. But then I started telling my wife about your story. We sat down and watched the whole thing! Your testimony is so POWERFUL! And the fact that you give God all the credit is so WONDERFUL! The only thing that would have made the end of the talk more amazing is if Steven had come up there and given you a big hug! God brought you a special gentleman; this too has been an answer to prayer. Blessings! 🙏❤️ prayers and love.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much David! Oh my gosh I’m so touched that you and your wife took the time to watch my talk! Thank you! Haha yeah I would have to agree! Rest assured, he definitely makes sure I get operant of hugs! He is a blessing and I thank God for him!! Thanks for such kind words! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  23. Happy birthday Caralyn! Utah is a beautiful place to get away. And with your friends and family to enjoy the time along with you. BTW, I don’t know whether you might recall, but my youngest is well on his way in recovery for his addiction. God helped him change the last six months – in Attitude, Action and prayer. God answered.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Eric! You’re so right – Utah is marvelous!! And oh gosh that is such terrific news! Attitude action and prayer. Amen. I will be keeping him and your family in my prayers! God is good! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  27. Happy Birthday Beautiful!!! I thank God that he kept you through that season and placed you on this path to bless us with your gift. Here’s to your new year of life 🥂

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Janeen! Gosh that is so kind today. Yes! I am grateful for all His blessings too! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  31. Happy birthday Caralyn! So grateful to hear your story and follow along on your journey through life through this blog

    Reply

    • Thank you so much!! And thank you for sharing your story. Praise God that we have both found the beauty of recovery! So happy for you! Hugs and love xox

      Reply

    • Thank you so much Mark! You’re right about that, I wake up every day grAteful for the second chance I’ve been given. Hugs and love xox

      Reply

  44. Escaping the HEAT?! In UTAH!??? Once I was in Kenai, Alaska and the winter there was actually milder than Chicago, but it is hard to imagine that The City’s 88 today is cooler in Utah’s 90! Close, but no cigar; maybe NY’s 43% humidity beats Utah’s 23%?
    I’ll stay in the AC whenever it gets up to 81, thank you very much. 😉

    Reply

  54. Happy Belated Birthday, sweet Caralyn. May God continue to bless you and use your beautiful witness to praise and honor Him – through which ALL things ARE possible. Many hugs & belated birthday blessings be upon you! 💕

    Reply

  55. Happy Birthday! If we were still doing Bike shows we would have gotten you in. Happy Birthday, granted way belated. Mine was on the 1st, my brother’s on the 3rd, so we were busy doing “our thing” and I missed this, It sounds and looks like you had a great time.

    Reply

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