When I was in 2nd/3rd grade, they used to play this gospel-esque version of “Happy Birthday” over the announcements each day and read off all the kids names who were turning a year older. I think I’ll go find that rendition and ask my family to sing it to me tonight over a pyrotechnic birthday cake, yeah? That’s not unreasonable, right?

For real. I LOVE my birthday! It always seems to pass in an-out-of-body experience kind of way- does anyone else get that? I wish I’d spent time collecting photos from my parents old albums for this post, but alas. Next year, definitely! Now, let’s review some of my favorite/most memorable birthdays:

December 11th, 1987: being born. I’d say that was a pretty big deal.

December 11th, 1990: my 3rd birthday party- we decorated gingerbread cookies! It’s also the same birthday at which I found my best friend at the time, Kelly, opening my birthday presents under the table. Cue: tantrum. And my friend from up the street, Julia (pronounced Ju-ya when you’re three years old), brought me a can of Juicy Juice because it was my FAVORITE! Remember when Juicy Juice came in cans??

December 11th, 1992: My mom had been telling me for years that you couldn’t go to kindergarten until you were five. So on my 5th birthday, I got up, got dressed for school, put on my backpack, walked out to the car and waited expectantly, and then sobbed when my mom told me that I’d have to wait until the next school year began to attend. “But you said I just had to be five!!!” I wailed. BREAK MY HEART, WOMAN.

Look! I found a photo!! This is from 1992- we went to go see the Nutcracker! Go ahead, laugh at my stupid hair. It’s ok. (I’m the one all the way to the right, the one with the creepy smile.)

December 11th, 2000: My first year in middle school, which meant my friends papered my locker in wrapping paper and birthday cards. It made me feel super popular.

December 11th, 2002: Snow day! Except I was REAL mad when it happened because I’d been watching everyone else get balloons for their birthday from all their friends and I REALLY wanted some. Balloons were the silly bands of 2002- the more you had, the more popular you were. And I knew if my friends got me balloons, they’d all be deflated by the following day. Womp womp.

December 11th, 2006: First year in college and my birthday falls during exams week. LAME. Fortunately, the only exam I had that day was my biology final, and the final exam was optional and since I already had a B in the class, I didn’t take the exam. And then it ended up being one of TWO B’s I received in college. Dangit. Also, I had my “jury” exam for band- it’s where you play an intense piece you’ve been working on all semester in front of a panel of professors from the music department. Because it was my birthday, I wore a tiara just to spite them for making me play. And none of them ever let me forget it!

December 11th, 2009: Matt surprised me by showing up at dawn in Radford, all the way from George Mason, just to make me blueberry pancakes! And I was on CONSTANT watch for him to propose.

December 11th, 2010: Last single birthday- my cousin and maid of honor, Meg, had my bridal shower that day. It was the BEST!

Our New York trip in November was mostly for my birthday, so here’s a shot of the best gift I’ve ever received (courtesy of J&M).

Happy December 11th! And Happy Birthday to my birthday twins Amber and Susan!