Five things I love about birthdays

People seem to cringe at the word "birthday" as they get older. As a woman in my mid-twenties creeping up on thirty I cannot disagree more. I still love birthdays. Am I one of those girls who has a birthday week? Umm no. But I do enjoy the fact that I feel special for a day and people give me gifts adorned with sprinkles and bows. Here are 5 things I love about birthdays, not necessarily my own:

1. EATING
Why would this not make the list!? I love going out to eat, and specifically getting to chose where I go out to eat. What's that? You don't like sushi? Too bad! It's my birthday. Sashimi for everyone!

2. USING THE BIRTHDAY EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF TROUBLE
I've gotten out of a lot of trouble over the years by simply stating these words: "But it's my birthday." This includes two parking tickets, a speeding ticket and a long line for the bathroom at a sporting event. With a sad face added in this is a surefire way to get your way.

3. MORE THAN ONE COCKTAIL ON A SCHOOL NIGHT
What are the odds of your birthday being on a weekend? I'm horrible at math, but I'm pretty sure you only get a birthday on a weekend once every seven or eight years. This means that the chances your birthday dinner will be on a school night are pretty good. This also means that you will most likely have a designated driver and a reason for an extra glass of wine. You deserve it. Those last 365 days of breathing were such an accomplishment!

4. BIRTHDAY CARDS
I love birthday cards. They can be funny or serious, but the important thing is you can tell a lot about someone from what card they pick out. I save them every year, and love looking back at them every year. I just love to line them up for a couple weeks on my counter and let them be a decoration until the Christmas cards take over.

5. AND MOST OF ALL... FRIENDS AND FAMILY
I didn't get to be home this year for my birthday, but it was so nice to be around good friends. I think I saw this in a Lifetime Movie: "Friends are the family you choose yourself." It is so true. I can't wait to reciprocate on their birthdays :)

Cake or small fire?? You decide.