Written by Ashley:

Unfortunately, my birthday weekend this year was very bittersweet. My Uncle Al passed away, but that meant I got to spend the weekend in Washington DC with family. On my birthday, Nisheet and I got up really early and took the first flight out of Chicago. When we were landing in DC, the sun had just come up and we had a gorgeous view of the Washing monument from our little plane window. We checked into our hotel and then spent the day sight seeing. We started by eating chili at Ben’s. There was a huge line, but it was yummy and worth it. Then, we got the chance to tour the capitol building! For dinner, Nisheet took me to a really nice restaurant near the White House, and I got an Apple Pie Martini and butternut squash ravioli with candied figs. It was one of the best dinners I’ve ever eaten. On the way back to the hotel, we picked up some cupcakes and a bottle of raspberry lambic beer. Pretty good way to end the night!

The following day we met up with my brother and father and went to Museum of American History and a couple monuments before heading to my Aunts house and spending time with the family.

Monday was the day of the funeral, and my what a funeral it was. I’ve never experience anything like it. First there was a service performed by his fraternity, then there was a viewing, and then the actual funeral service happened. During the service, so many people got up and spoke, including politicians! Then we all drove in a really long line to the cemetery, which was about an hour away, and another really short service happened. Then we all drove back to the church and had a meal of fried chicken, rice, green beans, and pie. After all of that, it was almost time to catch my flight back to Chicago. On the way to the airport though, we had to make one more stop and see the Lincoln Memorial!