Slice of Life Story Challenge - What I Know For Sure - Celebration Saturday - Birthday Celebrations

 

I'm doubling up today!

     It's Day 14 of the Slice of Life Story Challenge, started by Two Writing Teachers.  I am writing around the theme topic of "What I Know For Sure." (See Day 1 for a full explanation.)

 

I love linking up to a wonderful celebratory community, inspired by Ruth Ayres, on Saturdays!

 

 

     Last night we celebrated Libby's 22nd birthday at her apartment at Miami University in Oxford.  Her birthday is actually St. Patrick's Day, but since that day falls on a Tuesday this year, it was easier to pull together a party on Friday.  It's been a tradition the past four years to celebrate Libby's birthday by buying pizza for all her friends at Miami and hanging out with them for a few hours, catching up on all their plans, endeavors, and dreams.  They are a special group of young adults, and it has been wonderful celebrating all kinds of occasions with them.  I had to laugh when a fairly new member of their group of friends was slightly confused about this tradition.  When we introduced ourselves, he told me, "When they told me you were coming, I asked, 'You mean your parents just come and hang out with all of us?  Not many parents can pull that off.'"  Ha!  I'm not sure if we actually pull it off, but they keep coming to the parties we put together, so that must be a good sign!

 

     I've written before about how much I love birthdays.  My mom and dad were always wonderful about celebrating mine with cake, slumber parties, and even a combined surprise birthday party for my 16th and Dad's 40th.  I loved planning themed birthday parties for the girls, and one of the highlights of my life was my 40th birthday in Las Vegas with Ed and my best friends.

 

     I've never quite figured out why some people want to keep birthdays on the low-down, or don't want people to know their age.  To each his own, of course, but I love to make birthdays known!

 

My first birthday in Cincinnati in 1967

 

Puppy-themed birthday party for Katie - we had hotdogs in plastic dog bowls, painted with the kids' names and puppy paw prints.

 

Libby's 19th birthday at Miami - the first year we celebrated with a pizza party.

My 40th in Vegas

 

Katie's Sweet 16

 

     What I Know For Sure: Birthdays are meant to be celebrated.  Growing older is full of exciting new chapters and journeys in your life.  To mark the passage of time with a celebration is one of life's greatest joys.