Natalie Hill is turning 10 this weekend, which means she's been alive exactly as long as the Harry Potter books have been published.
The lives of Natalie and Harry are merging again today. Natalie is celebrating her 10th birthday with a party at the bookstore on the day "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is released.
The timing is deliberate, as Natalie is a huge Harry Potter fan. She started reading the books about three years ago when she noticed her mother reading them. Hooked, she's made her way through the first six books' 3,000 pages.
Her mother says the party will probably last until about 8:30 or 9, then everyone's going to go home for a couple hours' nap. Then it's back here for midnight and the distribution of the books.
In the meantime, Natalie -- dressed as Hermione Granger, down to the Gryffindor tie -- and her friends will have some cake and raise glasses of "butterbeer." I raise a glass in tribute myself: Happy birthday, Natalie.