June 8, 2009

I just celebrated my 27th birthday. I’m another year older, wiser and closer to 30. For some reason, 27 sounds A LOT older than 25 and 26. I don’t know why. Although, seven is my favorite number, so I expect good things to come from this year. I also realize that age is just a number and you are only as old as you think you are. I know, I know…but still, it’s kind of weird. I remember when I was little and birthdays were monumental events. Planning started months before the actual day and the excitement spread like a wild fire once you told your best friends about the affair.

When I was 11-years old, I wanted Barbie dolls and scrunchies. This year I’m hoping for a new Blackberry, designer eyeglasses and a day at the spa. What happened? I guess I’m just growing up, but I long for the day of invitation-only birthdays and themed decorations.
I once had a backward birthday. Everyone wore his or her clothes backwards and we even ate the cake before the pizza. I had a blast and I know everyone else did too.

I remember playing games in my backyard, the relay race that involved spinning around a bat 34 times and then carrying a bucket of water down the yard still makes me grin. When I got older and slumber parties were thrown into the mix, I was in heaven. Slumber party birthdays were the best – you could party all day and ALL night. What is better? I remember it was always a challenge to see who would fall asleep first. If I could hit a big rewind button, I would go back to a slumber birthday party.

I remember one birthday party I had a park, I think that was the one where we had a piñata. One of the advantages to being an only child, you can kind of have whatever you want on your big day (within reason). For instance, the live tigers and trapeze artist were out of the question.
For my 21st birthday, my parents threw me the best surprise party of all time at the neatest Irish Pub called Jack Quinns (in C. Springs). My parents planned quite a blow out. There was an Irish band, complete with Irish dancers. All of my family and closest friends were there. As long as I live, I know I will never, ever forget that day.

Last year, was my first birthday in Arkansas. I don’t really remember what we did. This year, we are combining my birthday (6/8) and our second wedding anniversary (6/15) celebrations and heading to New Orleans. I already know that will be a birthday for the memory books! I guess I just need to be thankful that God has blessed me with another year of living and every birthday is happy, because you are able to celebrate it.