I love birthdays. I absolutely love them. I always have. Mine falls on June 19. That just happens to be the best day of the year if you ask me. I was born on a Tuesday. Tuesday was not the day my mom wanted, but she had to make do. My brother was a difficult birth, so my mom knew early on that I would be delivered via C-section.
When it came time for her to schedule the surgery, she attempted to schedule it on June 17. My dad had always said he wanted a little girl (wonder if he still thinks that!) and Father's Day fell on June 17 that year. My mom thought it would be precious if I could be born on Father's Day. I don't think my mom actually used the word precious because that's not a typical vocabulary word for her, but still my birth would have been a freaking cute Father's Day gift.
The hospital, however, reserved Sundays for emergency surgeries only-understandable, yet inconvenient for my mother's plans. She selected Tuesday, June 19 instead and on that day at 11:14 a.m. I joined the world. Because of my birth, 11:14 am on June 19 has become a very important minute in my life and in my household. Usually right around 11 a.m. my mom and I will begin watching the clock.
At 11:14 we always celebrate, marking it as the moment another year passes. In fact, this year Corey took me to Washington D.C. for my birthday (to go to the Newseum ... nerdy I know) so I was not home with my mom at 11:14. She called me at 11:13 that morning, and stayed on the phone with me as I officially turned 20. A cheesy tradition, but our tradition nonetheless. My brother was born at 1:54 in the morning, so although we do usually stay up to wish him happy birthday, his celebration tends to not be as enthusiastic as mine.
Birthdays are big in my house. My mom's birthday is February 19, right around the corner! It was always perfect when her birthday would fall over President's Day weekend, or on a snow day. I liked being able to spend the day home with her. Danny's comes on May 16. It worked out nicely until he went to college.
Danny in Harrisonburg and me in Sterling or Farmville makes it difficult for us to celebrate his birthday together. Mine comes in June, this year on Father's Day ironically. I do think my dad would have appreciated my birth on Father's Day rather than my 21 birthday, but hey it will be fun. Dad's comes on August 28, making it a nice celebratory end to the summer.
Each of my family's birthdays are far enough apart that when our day comes, it can be centered around us. I think that's why I like it so much. I mean I know there are thousands and thousands of people out there with my birthday, and I have even met a handful of people who claim the 19 of June as their birthday as well.
Still, on the actual day it's like I am the only person born that day. It taps into myself absorbed desire, and it's the one day that I can admit that I like to be a little selfish sometimes. Although I think its funny I'm the one who gets all the attention. My mom had to carry me for nine months, and has had to spend the subsequent 20 years catering to my every need. Dad has also had to fork over a lot to get me where I am today. They worked a lot harder then I did to give me time to celebrate a life and yet I get all the celebrations. Then again they each have a day to claim their own so I guess it's only fair.
I am very excited because another big birthday is coming up. Mr. Corey Ryan Morris will be turning 21 on February 17. That's right. All of you who know Corey can imagine what an experience this Thursday will be for him. But in all honesty, he has no idea what's coming. He knows that I have five days of Corey planned, but he doesn't know what the days are. Clearly, I cannot tell you now because the festivities do not even start until tonight, but I have been planning this for ages.
Corey's birthday was kind of blah last year. It was kind of awkward, because Corey and I had been dating long enough that I couldn't really play the "new boyfriend = lame birthday gift" card, but we had not been dating long enough for me to go all out or even know what to get. I did alright last year, but it was still kind of drab.
We stayed up really late the night before working on The Rotunda, there was kind of a big mistake in the issue that week, we had a full load of classes and he finished his birthday with Judicial Board cases. We did the gift exchange, ate some cake and called it a night. Clearly not up to my expectations as far as birthdays.
This year I am making up for it. I am very excited. I see this as my chance to not only make up for last year but to make up for 21 years. I can guarantee none of his other birthdays will compare to this one. I have been planning this since Halloween! After all, he only turns 21 once.
By the way, I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. For those of you who love the day, keep the love going! For those of you who hate it, at least its over for another 363 days. Hurry over to Wal-Mart. All the Valentine's Day candy should be on clearance by now.
