The magic of a birthday is undeniable – whether you like them or hate them, few days of the year have the intensity that a birthday does. For me, birthdays were the happiest memories of my childhood. My family did them right: invitations, themed parties, goody bags, games, decorations, cake – “Make a wish!” – as you’re surrounded by the people who are important to you at that life juncture: both the family that will always love you and the friends who may last you ‘till adulthood or may call you a female dog weeks later... [yes]. In that moment of a birthday, time is suspended - and everyone has love for you and is celebrating you. It creates magic powerful enough to grant wishes...
I have so many memories of profound childhood happiness, stemming directly from birthday celebrations. I had a Tinkerbell party; I had a paint-your-own-pottery party; I had a hair party (yes – girls playing with each others’ hair for hours on end); and for my Sweet Sixteen I had the most magical fairy party you could imagine. Invites in the mail, costumes, twinkle lights – all the birthday magic I could have dreamed. Plus, presents! What in life is a happier image than a pretty parcel wrapped up with a bow? The surprise and anticipation… I’m not a materialistic girl, but presents at a birthday are icing on the cake :)
I have so many memories of profound childhood happiness, stemming directly from birthday celebrations. I had a Tinkerbell party; I had a paint-your-own-pottery party; I had a hair party (yes – girls playing with each others’ hair for hours on end); and for my Sweet Sixteen I had the most magical fairy party you could imagine. Invites in the mail, costumes, twinkle lights – all the birthday magic I could have dreamed. Plus, presents! What in life is a happier image than a pretty parcel wrapped up with a bow? The surprise and anticipation… I’m not a materialistic girl, but presents at a birthday are icing on the cake :)
I doubt my reader is surprised to hear that, as an adult, I still adore my birthday and make quite the effort to do it justice it every year. I’ve had many themed birthday parties in my post-college life: a dress-up speakeasy party, a biker party (yes motorcycles… since I’m such a biker), a Madhatter Tea Party – each event has been so special and so much fun.
This year, though, is especially important because it’s my Golden Birthday. I was one of the lucky people to get a later-in-life golden birthday, [29]. So I’ve had many years to look forward to it and get excited for it. I realize that in some ways it’s not really any different than any other birthday – but something about the title of Golden Birthday makes it seem pretty darn special to me. Pair that with the fact that for me it falls on the age of 29, the last year of my twenties…? I can’t think of a better combination of planetary-alignment-type reasons to blow this particular birthday out of the water. I’ve had “birthday weeks” before… this year? Golden Birthday Month – all leading up to that 29-on-29 day.
So while there is a killer party in the works for the end of this month, I’m also currently on a “Golden Birthday” trip to Napa Valley with two of my best friends in the world. I love these girls, I love California, I love wine, I love travel… Am I happy right now? More like ecstatic. Welcome to August 2011, friends – best month of my life.
i LOVE this! ;-)
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