I can remember being a little girl and looking forward with such anticipation for my birthday. As soon as a new school year started, I knew I only had a few short months until that day. My best friend’s birthday was on October 27th, so I knew when we were celebrating her birthday I had less than a month to wait. And then, that day would arrive. The day I had been waiting for. The day I would get to open my card from my Memere, which I always knew would have $20 in it. The day I would (hopefully) get whatever it was I wanted that year. And the one day a year I got to pick
what we all ate for dinner (except when my birthday fell on Thanksgiving). It was a decision that was all mine…I didn't think about what my parents wanted, or my sister or even my brothers. I only cared about what I wanted and made sure to pick that... And I didn't even have to help clean the table or do the dishes that day. It was glorious.
As the years passed, I didn't await my birthday with as much anticipation as I had when I was a kid. Once I turned 16 and could drive, I looked forward to 18 when I could be “legal” and then from there it was being 21 that I looked forward to. After that, I didn't really care how old I was. Turning 30 was just another number. It was like birthdays just turned into another day in the work week, except I got to eat cake and ice cream.
But this year was different. It wasn’t like I was turning a special age, it was just 32. But, for the first time, I was really able to celebrate my birthday through the eyes of my kids. From the moment they found out my birthday was coming, they had a sparkle in their eye as if it was their birthday. I could see and hear them whispering to each other about what to do. I could see them getting out paper and crayons and hiding in their beds to color cards for me. When I would ask what we should do for my birthday, Rylan would say “we’re just going to have a boring birthday for you” and they would all laugh. I loved seeing how excited they were in anticipation of my birthday! They were so excited that they would be able to bless me. And bless me they did!
My birthday was actually on Sunday, but Saturday night some really good friends here in Lakeland, FL took our family to Chuck E Cheese’s to celebrate. I even got to get a cake! The best part was seeing how excited my kids were to be there and their excitement that our friends blessed us with that. Throughout this journey, my kids have been witness to so many people blessing us, in so many different ways, and they are always just as thankful as we are. They are constantly thanking God for the many people He has sent to bless us and there is nothing that could make me happier than to see my children recognize the blessings of God.
Sunday morning I awoke to a Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Starbucks, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a sweet card from my best friend, who also happens to be the handsome man I am married to! Once the kids woke, I was showered with loads of kisses and hugs and then the very thoughtful, imaginative and beautiful handmade cards and jewelry they made me. Their handmade treasures are worth more to me than anything they could have bought at the store.
After church, instead of me picking where we got to eat, as I did as a kid, I now gave that honor to my kids to pick. They all agreed on Steak N Shake, and everyone even got their own milkshake, which was a great treat. Sunday night found us all snuggled in my bed watching a movie to end the most perfect birthday I have had to date.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for. I pray that I will continue to take the opportunity to see things through the eyes of my children and remember how precious each moment is. I pray that each and every day I can make them feel as special as they made me feel on my birthday. I pray that they would one day look back on their birthdays and have fond memories of their very special day. And I pray that they, too, would continue to be thankful for everything that God has blessed us with.
What are some of your favorite birthday memories or traditions?