DEERFIELD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Two months after being exonerated, Steven Barnes is spending his 43rd birthday with friends and family. It's the first time in 20 years he has been able to do so.
    
"Words really can't express how wonderful it is to have my brother back and be able to have a birthday party, and birthday cake and celebrate. We have a lot to celebrate this year." said Barnes' sister Lisa Pawloski.

After spending 19 years in prison, Barnes says he is still adjusting to life. In fact at age 43, Barnes recently re-took a road test, because his drivers license had expired.

"They just mailed me the license in the mail today. It was nice, my mom gave me a big hug said congratulations." Barnes said.

Friday nights fundraiser and birthday party, organized by his friends, was to help Barnes get back on his feet. He says he has had a few job offers, one from the District Attorneys office to work with recently released inmates. Barnes says he still has not heard from the Simon family, but wishes them the best.

"Like I always said I hope their closure in this, they find the real person for them . My heart goes out to them, its just a bad situation what happened to me what happened to them. Two wrongs don't make a right." said Barnes.

Barnes will celebrate his birthday officially on Sunday. Next month he will speak at an Innocence Project fundraiser in Houston. The Innocence Project is the non for profit group that helped him get exonerated.