Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Birthday Memories

Week 4 in the Me before Mom series asks: How did you celebrate your birthday? Do you have a favorite celebration? Worst? From the cake to the presents to the guests, invite us in to the party.

I don't remember too many big birthdays when I was a kid, so the parties I did have really stand out in my mind. I think my favorite birthday was when I turned 6. My birthday is a few days before Halloween so we had a costume party. My mom found a prom dress at Good Will and, using her mad sewing skills, turned it into a pint sized gown. We were really into country music so I was a salon girl and my brother was a cowboy. I don't just remember the party from the photos. I have vivid memories of bits and pieces of it. We lived in a condo complex and we split up into 2 groups and went on a scavenger hunt. Then we had cake and all the girls stayed for a sleep over.

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Ahh, the 80's and my mom's feathered hair. Good times. I loved this party. It still makes me warm and fuzzy thinking about it. My pretty costume and my first sleepover will never be forgotten.  
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Of course many a birthday passed after that one. There was the birthday in 3rd grade when I got in trouble at school for lying and my party got cancelled. Fast forward to 6th grade and me and my best friend got to go to a New Kids on the Block concert as my present.

Jump 9 more years to my "Not-so-sweet 16" and you can call that my worst birthday on record. In a nut shell, I got a powder blue, '67 rag top, VW bug. I took the day off of school to get my drivers license. I went to school only for my first class, in which I had a test, and then I left. I made an off-hand comment to a teammate on the volleyball team about missing practice, which she told my coach and got me kicked off of the team. My mom had planned a surprise party so, to get me out of the house, my boyfriend and I took my new, old VW and went to dinner at the Olive Garden. On the way home my car died going up a hill and I couldn't get it started. A cop had to block traffic the other way, we pushed the car so it was going downhill and had to pop the clutch to get it going. By now, my awful day had me in tears. We manage to get home and I walk into the party. "SURPRISE" is right, the girl who got me kicked off of the team is at my party. Long story short. Suckiest birthday ever, made worse by the fact that I was a dramatic teenager.

5 years later, I turned 21 in the city where everyone should turn 21, Las Vegas! A bunch of my friends from work decided to drive up with us, so we were rolling 10 deep in the casino. I was so sassy with my burgundy bob! I can't remember how many shots I ingested, exactly, but I managed to not get sick. I wish I could say the same for my friend who puked at the Black Jack table. I was so mortified that we grabbed our chips and cashed out! I did win $250 bucks on a slot machine and was the star of a song at the NY NY dueling piano bar.

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On my 26th birthday, the Red Sox broke the 86 year curse and won the World Series. My hubby is convinced I broke the curse, and who am I to argue with his logic? My 30th birthday was spent watching Coldplay live with my bestie Joelle. I have some fun plans for my 35th birthday so stay tuned! I love birthdays. I think it is like having your own holiday. It is your day, the day you came into the world. I don't think I will ever stop wanting to celebrate or at least acknowledge it, no matter how old I get! 

22 comments:

  1. You've had incredible birthdays... the good and the "suckiest" ever! I love your photos, too. Really enjoyed this journey with you!

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  2. Birthdays are the best! You're right - it's your own holiday. Every year I buy myself a present. I love reliving some of your moments. I can't get over the story about the girl who got you kicked off the team being at your surprise party! Ooops!

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  3. What birthdays you had! I love seeing all the photos. I can't remember so many birthdays- I should write them down!

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  4. Love this - and so jealous you got NKOTB tickets as a birthday gift! My 21st birthday fell smack in the middle of final exams my junior year of college so we ended up postponing the celebration for another week. It's nice to hear someone who embraces and celebrates their birthdays instead of blowing them off or complaining about getting older.

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  5. I love birthdays!! Such a fun post :) I also had no idea you were turning 35 - you look way younger, I wouldn't have guessed older than 30.

    LOVE that photo of you wtih the balloons from your childhood party :)

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  6. Great memories! I was like you and don't remember too many birthdays from when I was a kid! I did have a big 21at birthday bash though, but I wound getting suck of course! hehe! Thanks for sharing your birthday memories!! - Katey

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  7. Thanks for sharing all of this - your photos are so great. Like walking through your memories. I love your description of the fun childhood party and how it gave you the warm and fuzzies. Your mom's 80's hair rocks. You got in trouble for lying...that's a post for another day!

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  8. Those pictures are amazing. I love the shots one!!! You have some great bday memories :)

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  9. What a fun trip down memory lane! The photos of your 6th birthday made me smile. You can tell your mom made it really special for you. :)

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  10. Great post! I love the pictures especially from the first story. What a dress!

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  11. Your mom went all out at your 6 year old party! That looks fabulous and it just makes me happy to know that she put all of that effort in for you. I love seeing parents doing amazing things for their children that become fond memories in adulthood. Thanks for sharing your birthday journeys!

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  12. I LOVE the pictures from your 6th birthday. They are amazing and that costume was awesome. I have a good shot picture from my 21st birthday, I should have posted it! Although I am not sure where it is.

    Yay for turning 35 this year! Officially mid-30s! Eek! ;)

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  13. OMG! I love this post! What awesome b-day memories!! I remember a few (that looked like your older pics) from when I was younger, but as I've become older I hardly celebrate at all. Love these pics you have! Great memories!

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  14. I LOVED reading this post about your birthdays!! And the pictures from your 6th birthday! Oh my goodness. I love the one with your mom behind you, with her chin on your shoulder. Beautiful. And your costume was AMAZING. How cool that you were in Vegas for your 21st. I also celebrated at a casino, but it was only Foxwoods. I hope every birthday you have for the rest of your life is special and well-celebrated. :)

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  15. I think your sixth birthday sounds the "funnest"! And wowza at the sucky 16th... so sorry!

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What you talkin' bout Willis??