"I don't know what this world's about/ But this will be our year"

When I was little I used to be obsessed with my birthday or more importantly my birthday party. And I mean obsessed. Like my mom had to make a rule that I wasn't allowed to talk about my birthday until after my brother's birthday on April 13th because I'd debate whether I wanted Pink Power Ranger party or one of those cakes with the Barbie stuck in it (never got one) starting in January. I just love birthdays (not even just my own. I get excited for other people too)! I was a master unwrapper at the young age of two. No one could tear their way to a Sesame Street VHS (how's that for old school?) or Big Bird tricycle faster than this girl. In the hour leading up to my actual party, I would sit outside and just wait for the first guest to arrive. I loved that part. I know, I'm a dork. But I'm okay with that.

In elementary school, my birthday rocked. Sometimes it fell on field day, that awesome day where your entire class wears the same shirt with a mascot that matches the letter of your teacher's last name (Moore's m&m's, Waller's Wildcats), you don't have class, and you spend the day competing in balloon tosses, potato sack races, and tug of war for much-coveted First Place ribbons. Sometimes my birthday party would also fall on field day and all the girls would load up into my mom's minivan for the party after watching the annual 5th grade vs sixth softball game to head to my house for cake, ice cream, and presents. Ahhhh the memories.

But my birthday took on, shall we say different memories in high school (frankly, I don't remember my birthday in middle school minus the really cool older girl who actually turned out to be quite the witch signing the poster on my locker): My beloved birthday started to fall in the middle of AP finals. Senior year I had to take the AP Biology exam (AWFUL) on my birthday and my mom wouldn't even let me check out of school after it. I did have my first surprise party that year the following day thanks to my friends so that made up for it. But still, not the actual day that was spent in the library trying to write about osmosis and cell division and bacteria.

Then there was college, oh lovely college. Freshmen year was the WORST. The night before, I stayed up studying in my freezing cold dorm room alone for my geology final. I woke up and felt terrible so I ran to the bathroom. As I was walking out, I fainted (ew). Like completely wiped out. I thought "Oh good I made it to my dorm. The floor is so cold. Wait, how did I get here?" and then I opened my eyes and say the grimy tile floor and I got out of there. Then I had to muster up the strength to go and take my 200 question geology final. Then I had about an hour to move out of my dorm before the check-out time. Luckily I had done most of the work the day before, but the few trips I had left were not fun. I then drove home to Atlanta sick as a dog and didn't even get to go out to dinner with my friends and family. Worst. Birthday. Ever.

Sophomore and Junior year I had finals right before my birthday but was spared a final on the actual day. So I would have my party on the actual day. Unfortunately a lot of my friends would already be studying abroad or doing their summer plans so those parties were lacking a tad in attendance but ultimately good.

Senior year I realized my birthday was going to fall on graduation. You know, a time where people have their parents and family in town and will have lots of plans and activities. Awesome. This was when I was hanging out with my awesome group of friends every weekend and I really wanted to celebrate with them especially before we all went our separate ways for the summer and in some cases, life. So I got smart and had it a few weeks earlier in April to ensure more people could make it. But yep, birthday was on graduation last year (not the best gift ever) and I woke up early, sat in the blazing sun, heard some cliched inspirational speeches and wore an itchy gown and goofy hat. My family had come up the day before since that's when the smaller English department ceremony was so I had no family plans while all my other friends did. But we all got to hang out that night and it was a good, good night.

This year my birthday (May 9th) is getting trumped by mother's day (as it did last when I was a junior in high school). I mean my mom is awesome so of course let's celebrate but come on, really? My birthday is already on a Sunday which is statistically the worst day of the week to have a birthday. But luckily this won't happen for another six years. :)

Okay, okay: We are also waiting to celebrate my and my brother-in-law BR's birthdays in a few weeks when my sister's family is visiting from Seattle. But it doesn't sound as dramatic when I include that part.