A Life In Review

I have learned that there are two different kinds of people when it comes to birthday celebrations. Those who absolutely love celebrating their birthdays and want it to be a big deal, and those who view it as just another day of the year.

Before meeting my husband, I didn’t even know that there were people who didn’t like birthdays. I thought that everyone loved having their own special day and wanted to be celebrated. However, each year on his (undisclosed) birthday, we pretend like it’s just a normal day, even though all of me wants to shout “Happy Birthday” from the roof tops. As another year of birthdays have come and gone for our little family, I wanted to see where you guys stand, but first, I want to lay out the arguments that I have heard from both sides.

Side One: Birthdays are the best thing ever and need to be celebrated!

1. It is a big deal to turn another year older. You survived the previous year, whether it be by the grace of God, or hard work. You did it! In my family, the world was centered on you for one day a year.
2. It gives you the chance to reflect on the previous year and figure out what you will change. You may not have accomplished everything that you wanted to, but this day gives you the chance to reflect on what you did accomplish.
3. It’s a day for great food. On my birthday, my family has always made my favorite foods and we would sit together and enjoy them. Sometimes it was the pricer steak and the better sides, but it’s always something good.
4. People show their love for you on this day. Whether they choose to show it through a physical gift, or the gift of their time (my favorite), they show up for you on this day. It brings your family back together for one special day each year.
5. It can also be used as a way to thank your parents. They brought you into the world and they have raised you and taken care of you.

Side Two: Birthdays are just another day like any other and don’t need celebrating.

1. In the early days, birthdays were only celebrated because Pagan’s believed that evil spirits lurked around you on days of great change in your life (such as your birthday). Therefor they celebrated to keep the evil spirits away. Since we don’t believe that crap now, why do we need to celebrate?
2. That’s a lot of attention and fuss for one person (my husband’s main argument). It can be overwhelming for anyone.
3. Money that they could have used for more important things, on gifts that (sometimes) the receiver doesn’t even want, which makes things SUPER awkward.
4. Not everyone has a family (or friends) that celebrate them. This day then, becomes a reminder that you are alone (and may leave you feeling unloved).
5. It can be a reminder that you haven’t accomplished all that you wanted to by a certain age, making your birthday a difficult and emotional day instead of a day of celebration.

I can honestly see both sides, but I hope that my daughter chooses the celebration side, even when things are hard, even when she’s turning 23 and nobody likes her (because ya know, nobody likes you when you’re 23). I will always celebrate her birth and I will always internally celebrate the birth of my husband because both of them are special to me and both of their lives are worth celebrating!

With all of that said, which side are you on?
Do you celebrate your birthday and go all out like I do? or
Is your birthday just another day of the year?