Some birthdays are a big deal. Milestones. Have a real wow factor.
At 16, you can drive. At 18, you can vote and buy your first pack of cigarettes, legally. At 21, you can get your first drink, again legally. 30 is supposed to be the next big one.
I have found that my milestone birthdays are generally not on the standard timeline.
At 17, I got my license and moved away from home. Got my first real job, my first car, eventually my first apartment! That was a big year for me!
My 20th birthday was definitely my most eventful and memorable party. If you were there, you know why! **insert winky face here**
Tonight is my Hebrew birthday. Thursday is my English birthday. I'm turning 30.
I know this is supposed to be one of those big ones but I'm just not feeling it. I know I've had a lot happen in the past 30 years. And I mean a lot.
And maybe my parents find this to be a big milestone. Seeing me go from a tiny little, picky eating, big ant hating, not so at-one-with-nature type of pipsqueak, to being a woman with two kids, a mom, a friend, whatever, blah blah blah.
I just can't accept that this birthday needs to be treated any differently than the last! Has making it to 30 warranted all the hooplah that generally comes along with it? Why is it more amazing than making it to 29 or 31?? 25 is a more exciting number to me, that's a quarter of a century!!
I don't know. I'm not looking for validation or anything. I'm thrilled with where I am in life, with who I've become to both myself and those around me, I'm thrilled with the kids I've raised with an amazing husband and father.
I just don't feel like making a big party when last year I had no inclination of doing so and probably won't give it a second thought next year! I don't need big gifts. If there's something I want, I work towards getting it, regardless of the time of year.
I wouldn't say no to birthday checks obviously. I'm not a saint, just someone turning 30!!