Today, my beloved roommate and bestest friend Catherine turns 27.

That’s pretty freakin’ young. Seriously. She needs to catch up to me.

She’s not even stomping into her thirties yet, but I guarantee you that when she does, she’ll do that decade up in style, too.

Catherine is — as you can see in the photos above — in possession of one of the best smiles EVER, and has a laugh that lights up rooms (well, they’re already pretty lit up when she walks in them. The laugh just adds another spotlight.)

She’s also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, and the reason we end up breathless with laughter at least once every day in our little apartment with the Best Deck Ever.

So, on the occasion of her birthday, 15 Things I Love About Cat:

1. She’s one of the best listeners you’ll ever come across. She takes in what you say, and offers real advice and feedback in return.

2. She is just as weird as me about cleanliness, with a side dose of totally strange. She likes to rearrange the dishwasher, and sorting papers gives her peace.

3. She has a singing voice that will stop you in your tracks — and not in a bad way! She can sing anything and make it sound perfect. And when I say perfect, I mean WHOA.

4. She is as addicted to the coffee as I am.

5. She is smart as a whip, and has a beautiful blend of logic and creativity that means she could do pretty much ANY job.

6. She is Presley’s favourite.

7. She has a lot of intuition about life and people and what they need. And a lot of grace when they mess up.

8. She is a world class flirt. It’s something amazing to see. The world kind of sparkles a bit in response.

9. She is a great sister to her two younger brothers… always there if they need anything, and sure to be the most proud fan of anything they do.

10. She is a fabulous daughter to her parents — she loves them and worries about them and enjoys spending time with them. She makes those relationships a priority.

11. She is an incredible friend, as evidenced by how much people miss her when they can’t be by her side. Fortunately, that’s not me.

12. She has tremendous style, and I don’t just mean her hair. Though her hair is probably the thickest, healthiest crop of blonde I have ever seen in my life. And yes… that’s her natural colour. Mostly.

13. She shares my love for flip flops, hockey, sleeping in, true crime shows, MAC products, magazines, and long drives.

14. She accepts people exactly where they’re at.

15. She works hard at everything she does, and is going to be (or continue to be, I should say) a true success in every area of her life.

I’m so proud to call you my Hetero LifeMate ™!

Please join me in wishing Catherine a happy, happy birthday!

LOVE YOU!