This weekend I’m turning the big 2-1! I’m finally going to be able to have my first (legal) drink! As most of my friends know, I really love birthdays. They haven’t lost any of their excitement, despite not being at home, and not having a batch of my mom’s Halloween cupcakes to take with me to school on the big day. In fact, as I’ve got older birthdays have become more exciting for me. Most of my friends think this is silly. They chalk it up to only-child syndrome—aka birthdays have always been a big deal because I was the only one and therefore was spoiled endlessly on my birthday. I think this is a half-truth. My birthday was always a cause for celebration at home, mostly because my mom loves any excuse to throw a party (or multiple parties). She was the driving force behind my excitement. We would always think up something creative for my party, and we’d put a great deal of effort into whatever theme we came up with. It was always a fun project for the both of us that included baking cakes, finding costumes, doing arts and crafts projects, and generally making a total mess of the house (sorry Dad!). My mom has been, and will always be, my inspiration when it comes to joy. Let me tell you, the woman knows how to party. That is one thing I definitely got from my mama!
As I’ve gotten older, birthdays have become less about the party and more about reconnecting with the friends and family I have all over the world. I’ve come to appreciate the birthday privilege of demanding that all the people I love have to get together in one place together and celebrate. Don’t get me wrong, I still love pretending that I’m the birthday “princess” just like I did when I was 4, but my birthday happiness really comes from being with the people I care about most, and hearing from friends I’ve lost touch with. Even when I was younger, presents were never really my thing, what always mattered more was the having my friends together and doing something fun. I haven’t lost that spirit, even though getting all the important people in my life in the same place would take a magic carpet and three wishes. I’m still the same kid at heart holding on to the excuse to have a party, eat lots of cake, and dance my butt off with all of the best. I hope I never lose that. One day I hope to be like my mom, covered in head to toe with flour, dancing with my kid in the kitchen, and plotting our latest celebration!