Birthday, Shmirthday

Growing up, I hated my birthday. No -- that's not exactly accurate. I loved my birthday. Who doesn't love a day that is designed to indulge your most narcissistic tendencies? A day completely focused on you, complete with cake, ice cream, gifts, and general merriment? What I hated was where my birthday fell on the calendar -- January 4. It was always the first day back to school after Christmas vacation, a terrible birthday gift for any youngster. And of course, having a birthday that falls less than two weeks after Christmas, I was occasionally a victim of the dual purpose gift: one that was given for Christmas AND for my birthday. I'm sure the two-for-one concept was great for my parents*, but I always thought that was such a rip off. My brother Miles, whose birthday is in June, never had to get a dual purpose gift. The idea would have been ridiculous. But for me, for some reason, it was acceptable. I shouldn't complain too much -- my older brother's birthday falls on Christmas Eve. So it could be worse. Much worse.

As an adult, my birthday has often fallen on the first day back to work after the holidays, like it did this year. The difference now is my expectations are much, much lower. Lucky for me, now I have a husband whose job it is to make my birthday special. Another reason to get married. Bryan and I had the "dual purpose gift" conversation early on, so it has never been an issue. He sent a big, beautiful bouquet of flowers to my office, and gave me a spa day. He knows me so well.

And as if that wasn't enough, Bryan got a delicious red velvet cake and invited several of our friends over for a little party to mark my 31 years on this planet. I was feeling a little anxiety about being 31, and as you'll see from this picture, Bryan improvised with the candles to turn the clock back a few years...

You can't see all of my gray hair in this picture, but trust me, it's everywhere!

We had a great time with friends and family -- we have such great friends, and Bryan and I are both blessed to have cousins living in the DC area. Here's hoping 31 is as wonderful a year as 30 was.

*My parents are wonderful people and always worked hard to make my birthdays special. I mean no disrespect to them in any way. But I really did hate the dual purpose gift. That doesn't make me a bad daughter, right?