Tomorrow is my 26th birthday. I’ve found that sharing my birthday with New Year’s Eve has been much like a roller coaster, filled with dips and climbs, rushes and lulls.
When I was younger, my birthday parties were always some of the best around, but having the party on December 31st was out of the question. Parents always had plans, vacations were extended, unexpected snow storms closed the roads. School was always closed so class parties happened before, or in the new year. As I got older, friends would gather in my living room for sleepovers, pizza boxes and empty soda bottles littering the floor as we counted down the final seconds of the year.
In college, our beach house became party central — filled with friends and friends of friends toasting with cheap champagne punch sloshing over the side of party cups. I even had my very own special birthday glass, lovingly decorated by my roommate for my 21st.
Post-college, but pre-grown up life, my birthday was found in crowed bars and tables full of drinks with friends crowded around. And now, things are slowly starting to change.
Friends no longer want to make the trip. Others choose dinner parties over bar stools and plans that don’t include old married couples. As I explained to one friend last night, I’m not angry. I realize that as we get older birthdays become less important and I can’t blame them for wanting to go where they will have the most fun.
But sometimes sharing my birthday with a night were everyone in the world is celebrating isn’t so fun after all…when they don’t want to celebrate with you. I suppose that even at 26, growing pains still exist.
I’m not throwing myself a pity party. Quite the opposite. I figure if nothing else, I’ve got this handsome husband I can snuggle up on the couch with, eat some cake and toast the new year and our future together.
I also just bought myself some new bras, and really, what’s more supportive than that?
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December 30, 2008 at 9:52 am
Melissa
Happy Birthday!
I don’t believe birthdays get less important as we get older. They might not be as exciting as the days of ripping open present upon present, or staying out all night with friends, but I think the quality of how you celebrate gets better.
December 30, 2008 at 9:54 am
jcristg
Mine is on the 28th and, although not on a big night like NYE, I totally feel your pain. Happy birthday!
December 30, 2008 at 9:59 am
Tootie
Happy Birthday! I think you’ll enjoy your quiet evening with your husband. I did the same for my birthday this year, and it was still a really fun birthday.
December 30, 2008 at 10:19 am
Jessica
Have fun tomorrow and enjoy your birthday and ringing in the New Year! The supportive bra comment made me crack up 🙂
December 30, 2008 at 10:41 am
Lisa
I once had to share my birthday with the Superbowl (I don’t like sports) and HATED IT! NYE is such an over-rated holiday in my opinion – and as your friends get older, they will realize that & would rather spend it with you! Trust me on this – I’ll be turning 28 in Feb & couldn’t care less about NYE plans anymore!
I hope you enjoy your first Birthday as a married lady! 🙂
December 30, 2008 at 11:37 am
La Petite Chic
I always felt a little sorry for those whose birthdays fall on holidays because I do feel that you get a little overlooked and overshadowed. I hope you have a most fabulous 26th birthday and really, the night that you described sounds just perfect…from one old married girl to another 😉
December 30, 2008 at 11:51 am
Kristen
Happy Birthday!
I’m jealous of your bra shopping…all I get to wear right now are “sexy” nursing bras.
December 30, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Kateastrophe
AMEN Birthday Twin! I have always had such a hard time grinning when I feel like no one wants to spend my birthday with me because there are “better” plans. Hell it happened again this year. And I’m 28. I don’t know if it will ever go away, but at least my husband (and I’m sure yours!) makes a big deal out of it!!!
December 30, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Shana Leigh
My birthday was super lame this year and went by unoticed. But, it wasnt so bad. 🙂
December 30, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Lisa
It’s just a great excuse to buy yourself something fabulous. I have had 31 birthdays – and now I treat it like a day of indulgence.
December 30, 2008 at 1:33 pm
rksquared
Aside from their respective 30th birthday party bashes, my friends and I haven’t celebrated birthdays together in years, regardless of being single or married, kids or no kids, and no matter what time of year they fall. To each her/his own, but most of us (save a few who are completely birthday obsessed) could care less about birthday parties.
December 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Britt
Happy birthday! Home, snuggled up with the ones you love sounds like the best celebration of all to me… 🙂 Have a great one!
December 30, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Chris
It’s Tony’s birthday tomorrow too and he doesn’t like it either. I’m trying to do something special but it’s hard…we have a lot of party invites and none of them are actually for HIM. Anyway, Happy Birthday! I’m sure you and your hubby will make it fabulous.
December 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Peter DeWolf
I try to ring in at least every other birthday by buying bras.
December 30, 2008 at 4:08 pm
JenBun
HA! That last line cracked me up!!
Happy Birthday, my dear!!!!! Tomorrow night I will be celebrating YOU and not any of this silly New Year crap. Hooray!
xoxox
♥ x 26! Whoo!
December 30, 2008 at 8:59 pm
libby
i’m one of those weird girls who can’t bring myself to buy more bras. i can’t justify walking into a lingerie shop and spending so much on something only i’m going to see.
sigh. happy early bday!!! LOVES!
December 30, 2008 at 9:35 pm
your mom
do i detect even the hint of a sulk?
personally, i would be more than happy to know my firstborn is spending her birthday snuggling safe at home instead of out on one of the big maniac drunk nights of the year. i always felt that way and i still do. at this point i have spent 25 of your birthdays (that is a quarter of a century) worrying about you on this stupid fake holiday. i am more than happy to think you will stay home. you are big enough to stay home. most of us stay home on our birthdays, don’t we?
go out and buy yourself some birthday shoes tomorrow with that gift certificate. stick a candle in a cupcake, count all your wonderful blessings and cozy up with that seriously hunky husband of yours. everyone who loves you will call. it’s all good.
xoxo
December 31, 2008 at 6:52 am
Joanne
Happy Birthday! Im with you on this one gal – mine is on the 29th. Not so bad, I just turned 30 and managed to have quite a nice gathering in my local with plenty of friends – most of who just wanted an excuse to bridge the drinking gap between Christmas and new year!
But snuggling up with a loved one is truly a blessing and Id be happy enough to spend most nights like that – regardless of the date!
And kudos on that last line – Im actually spending my christmas/birthday money on lots of new underwear! Yup – this year its all about ME ME ME!!!!
Have a lovely day and Happy New Year! xx
December 31, 2008 at 9:28 am
wflooter480
Happy Birthday!
I guess I can kinda relate. Mine always falls around Easter and we’d always incorporate the two together when I was a kid. I remember feeling pretty special. For the local easter egg hunt my Aunt would dress up as the Easter Bunny and my Grandpa would hand out the candy and he would always slip me a little extra. But, Easter is definitely not as big as NYE or Christmas, so, uh, nevermind I guess. =)
You have a lot to celebrate with your new husband and you had a huge year! May your 2009 be blessed with employment, happiness and health. (by the way, I’m glad your mom is ok!)
December 31, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Jessica Lynn
happy birthday, my dear! i wish i could snuggle up with my husband tonight, but we’re going to a party at a friends house. hope that you have fun in whatev you do! xo
January 2, 2009 at 1:05 am
Caz
Happy belated! A friend of mine also shares a Dec. 31st birthday and says the same thing about everyone wanting to party, but not in celebration of her birthday, but of the larger holiday.
I sort-of understand considering I share a birthday with a very non-partying-family-oriented holiday which means no one can or wants to celebrate.
January 2, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Blondie
Happy Bday! Your last comment had me in stiches!
January 2, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Shannon
Happy Belated Birthday. Being a New Year Baby, I also agree with your feelings about celebrating. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been disappointed by friends because other plans seem more important. Don’t they realize it’s MY bday? I was there for them on their bday. Oh well… That is my rant and it happens every year.
January 2, 2009 at 3:18 pm
chasingparadise
Once again, your mom is a wise, wise woman. Happy (belated) birthday! The older we get, the less exciting birthdays become, and I’ve gotten my fair share of birthday cop-outs. Mine is 4 days after Valentine’s Day, and I’ve heard everything from “celebrating Valentine’s Day late” to “I’m still trying to get over the holidays.” It hurts, and I don’t know when that will start to feel better, but I think we’re entitled to feel only the slightest bit angry about that. Regardless, I hope you had some good birthday cake and got yourself some new shoes!