The Overshadowed Birthday

Friday, April 07, 2006

Yes, yes, tomorrow is my birthday. I'm turning 22 just in time to get married, I know, I know. And I need to preface this post with the acknowledgement that what I'm about to say may sound self-pitying, but it's not in any way.

I am one of those people who loves their birthday. Yes, I've been known to cry if it wasn't a good one (um, think 1992 and 1999, friends). I love that there is one day in the whole year that really belongs to you only (yes, mine also belongs to Betty Ford, Gerald Ford's wife, and Laura Lemmons, and my soon-to-be brother-in-law, Michael, swears it's the prophet Muhammed's too). I love that there is one day in the year that anyone you meet and tell it is your birthday will instantly either a) smile, b) wish you Happy Birthday, or c) instantly be nicer to you--i.e., toll booth workers, teachers, restaurant servers, etc.

Another thing I love about my birthday is that it is a palindrome: 4.8.84. It's the same backwards and forwards (eg, was it eliot's toilet i saw). This is not something that can happen this decade, you realize. I often feel very smug when asked for my birthdate, I can reply, "4884" with no break. And usually, the person has to stop and think for a second, and then they get it (and I'm thinking, Yeah, it's cool huh, sorry you can't have it).

This year is obviously different. Tomorrow, on my birthday, will be exactly two weeks before our wedding day. So of course, the birthday has been swept under the carpet, flown under the radar, blah blah blah, leaving me feeling semi-guilty that I am daring to have a birthday in the middle of all the hoopla and abundant gift-giving that's occurred in recent weeks/months. How dare I expect anything else at all?

Well, I'm not. My mom's making me a pink strawberry cake. And I'm turning 22 just in time. Will every year be like this?

18 comments:

  1. Yippee! We had loads of fun with you on Leslie Day! I think grown up birthdays are what you make them. This year, mine will be an extravaganza and I will throw it myself!

    PS: I was told by Schepp a long time ago that making a big deal about your own birthday just leads to the aversion of others wanting to celebrate it. I say, "Phooey!"

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  2. Okay for the record... it depends on how you are making a big deal out of it. Okay, okay I have changed. Man I sucked! I say "phooey on me!" You should be able to celebrate your birthday anyway you want. BUT I do think that it is important for you to leave room for others to make a big deal about it too. Man, I was poopy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLIE GUINN!!! Jesse, I am so glad that you don't hate me.

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  3. WHO could hate Kelly Scheppvater? I will take your advice and make room for others, though. And I've also taken your advice and finally decided to give you trying to make "The Kelvinator" my nickname. Cuz it's cooool. ;)

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  5. Mallory Culbert (it's French!)2:48 PM

    Yes, my dear Leslie, I have now read your blog, and I enjoyed it immensely. Granted, I feel I must be a little more careful about my grammar in this "comment," than I would be regular basis, but that is a small sacrifice to pay for your generosity in sharing your lovely prose with such undisciplined writers as myself. I love you and cannot wait to see the pictures. Note: I favor your "RSVP" piece most of all and am in agreement with you about birthdays:)

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