Farewell, Birthday Month (Maybe Forever)

I am a big believer in birthdays. I don’t limit my celebrations to just one day—after all, we are talking about the day of one’s birth, your existence, the fact that you came to be! I have developed a custom of celebrating “birthday month,” where the entire month of April is mine for the taking. I strategically space out gatherings with family and friends over the course of said month so that I have something fun to look forward to throughout the weeks: lunches, brunches, dinners, you name it. This way, there is no pressure to cram birthday wishes, gifts, and special plans all into one small window of just one day; we have an entire month!

Some years, birthday month falls into place better than others. People are more enthusiastic, schedules cooperate more smoothly, life doesn’t try to interrupt my fun. This was not one of those years. Adult responsibilities abounded and it felt like the universe conspired against this birthday girl to try and put a damper on my good time. Five days after my official Birthday, I took down all my decorations (including the cupcake wreath adorning our front door) and declared birthday month a goner. “I refuse to drag the fun bus down the highway with four flat tires any longer,” I proclaimed, never one for melodrama.

However, three or four years ago, a dear friend sent me a card which read: “Be the party you wish to see in the world.” I’m pretty sure that’s Ghandi, y’all. And you don’t just ignore wisdom from such a profound figure. You commit to being the party! So I took a deep breath, put my party pants back on, and did my best to revive birthday month, one brunch at a time. I’m going to omit the pity parties, deep sighs, eye rolls, Clint’s three-week battle with gout, and the various times life just plain refused to cooperate with my good times, and focus on the fun.

Behold, a bedeviled birthday month in pictorial:

We kicked off birthday month with a night out with our friends Melissa and Jon. Melissa is also an April baby. Cheers to birthday month!

Here we are on my real and actual birthday, out for a beautiful fancy dinner. So full of hope.

I came home to this gorgeous gluten and dairy free cake Clint special ordered for me!

Making a wish…

The next Sunday we got to have the most fabulous birthday brunch with one of my best friends, Jason.

If you are in Charlotte and you get a chance to brunch at Supperland, it is a must. They have a buffet, stations with eggs Benedict, steak kabobs, frittatas, and servers passing shrimp cocktail, raw oysters, and pastries as well.

They had me at lobster deviled eggs.

Let’s pretend this was the only plate I had that day. Yes, let’s go with that.

I’m outdoorsy in that I like to drink on patios. We took advantage of the warm weather and had some birthday sips at Dilworth Tasting Room one sunny Saturday afternoon by their koi pond.

You simply cannot have a better friend than Robin, who treated me to a gorgeous ladies’ lunch at RH Rooftop. I kept her all afternoon, talking and laughing. She made me feel so celebrated.

Birthday month was winding down, but we still had some fun left to have! Birthday dinner with Melissa and Les made for a great night.

I went ahead and made a reservation for myself at La Belle Helene for the last Sunday of April. It’s my birthday and I’ll brunch if I want to.

If I have to turn 46, I’m doing it with a cocktail.

And just when you thought there could not possibly be time for more: the grand finale. My friend John, also known as the Wine Dude, treated me to lobster salads at one of my most favorite restaurants on the very last day of birthday month.

Stick a fork in it, birthday month is DONE!

In case you lost count, that was three dinners, two lunches, two brunches, and one happy hour (well, maybe more than one happy hour, but only one captured in a photo, anyway). Despite circumstances trying to go awry, my wonderful friends (okay, and husband) showed up big time.

When I lamented that this year’s birthday month was less cooperative than other years, a friend commented that adults don’t really recognize birthday months and that it might be time to give up this tradition. She said people are too busy with responsibilities to take a month out of their lives to commemorate someone else’s birthday. I think she missed the point. My birthday month does not require anyone to celebrate with me for the entirety of the month. What it means is that I will be extra festive and joyful for the month of April, and the world is cordially invited to come along at any point and time that suits them. I’m not sure if that’s adult, or frivolous, or self-centered. It feels like light-hearted fun, and that is certainly something I know I could always use more of.

Farewell, birthday month. Maybe for this year, maybe forever, as it does seem that folks have lost some of the desire for revelry. However, I have a feeling that after I rest, recharge, and reconsider, I may just decide that it’s my party and I’ll enjoy it at my leisure. After all, it’s what Ghandi would want (wink).