You say it’s your birthday…

by E.P. on September 23, 2009

My mother likes to call around 6 a.m. every birthday to tell me this was the time she started feeling labor pains. My due date was October 1, so this came as a surprise. And since the house wasn’t clean, my dad vacuumed while my mom called her mother, my Bugga, to let her know I was going to arrive earlier than expected.

I was born around 4:45 p.m., and I love that my mother relives this memory with me every year. Not including the gory details, but calling at certain points during the day to remind me that 25 years ago, this was happening or that was happening.

However, my favorite story from my birthday is still how my father had (was forced?) to vacuum the entire house since my mother wanted the home to be clean for her mother and for me, their first child and bundle of joy. (No, really. I was an awesome baby. And am still awesome.)

Since I started my Livejournal in 2003, I have written a specific post for my birthday every year. It has changed a little by the year, but the message is the same. And it’s always about ten things I know, from the bottom of my heart. (You can read last year’s post here.)

So, without further ado…

10 Things I Know at the Age of 25 at 7:34 a.m. on the 23rd of September: (in no particular order)

01. A few tried and true friends are far superior to numerous fair weather friends.

02.While digital photography has taken over the market, there is still something so simple, gorgeous and unrefined about using film. Even if it’s just for fun.

03. Sometimes, all you need is a good song to belt at the top of your lungs to make your worries melt away. And sometimes, all you need is a kiss from your boy or a nuzzle from your pup.

04. Spaghetti with a meaty tomato sauce is my ultimate comfort food.

05. I will ALWAYS cry during the ceremony of every wedding I attend. (And I generally get teary-eyed when looking at friends’ wedding photos.)

06. Garden State will always be my #1 flick.

07. “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

08. Rainy nights are perfect for reading, then putting in a movie and snuggling on the couch.

09. Being head over heels, crazy in love is still one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life.

10. While this past year has had its fair share of ups and downs, I know I am truly blessed. With an amazing boyfriend, supportive family, good friends,a love puppy and so much more..

…

And that’s it, y’all! Happy Wednesday!

{ 97 comments }

← Previous Comments

E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:37 pm: Thanks, Courtney! I want to hang out and get sushi again SOON!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:37 pm: Thanks so much, Amber! And yay for pasta! It's my favorite food, too, and I am seriously, seriously tempted to buy a pasta maker. But that could be really bad. In a good way, heh.
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:38 pm: Thanks, Cait! It was a wonderful day!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:38 pm: Aww, Jess! You're too sweet. I'm a fan of yours, too!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:39 pm: That's totally OK! And thank you so much!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:39 pm: Aww, thanks, Angela!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:39 pm: Thanks so much, Erin! It really was a lovely day. It was really low-key, but it was perfect.

And I'm glad I am not the only one who cries at weddings!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:40 pm: Thanks, Katelin! It was truly fabulous and relaxing!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:40 pm: Thanks, Michelle!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:41 pm: Aww, that is SO cute that your mom calls you and sings 'Happy Birthday' with whoever is around her. That's so sweet!

Thanks so much! This new year is off to an amazing start!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:42 pm: I love your comment, Susan! I have always loved how my mother relives it with me, to let me know it was a big day for her, too, but I guess I've never put it together as eloquently as you just did. I love that you're going to be thinking about yours on your next one!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:42 pm: Thanks so much!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:42 pm: Haha, it's totally fine. I'm WAY behind on blog reading, too!

Thanks!
E.P. October 3, 2009 at 8:42 pm: Haha, thanks so much, Maxie!
Maxie October 4, 2009 at 12:37 am: Happy very, very belated birthday!! xo
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:27 am: Aww, Shobhna! It makes me so happy that you remember those LJ posts. And it makes me so happy that we've stayed in touch all these years. Who would have thought ten years ago that we would be where we are today?

I've been blessed with such wonderful friends from other countries, thanks to the Internet. You are definitely one of those! And thank you so much!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:28 am: Thanks so much! It was a wonderful day!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:28 am: Thanks, lady! I'm happy to hear 25 is a fantastic year! And I'm so glad we are friends, too. The Internet is such a cool place, huh?
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:28 am: Thanks so much, KT! This year has gotten off to a FANTASTIC start!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:29 am: Aww, thanks, name twin! It makes me happy that your mother tells you stories from the day of your birth, too, even if some of them are disgusting. I think a lot of birthday (or just plain old birthing) things are… well, not so pretty. But we all made it through and that's what matters.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:30 am: Thanks so much, Kyla!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:30 am: Thanks, Peter! It was a wonderful, relaxing day. The only thing that would have made it better was if I didn't have to work.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:31 am: Thanks so much, Kathleen! And I love that it reminds you of Gilmore Girls. I haven't watched the show that much, so I don't know about Lorelai crawling into bed with Rory on her birthday and recounting her birth, but it makes me so happy! Love it!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:31 am: It really is fun! I learn something new about my birthday every year. (:

Thanks so much!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:32 am: Thanks so much, Doni! It makes me happy that your parents get in touch with you on your birthday around the time of your arrival. I love the story of my sister's birthday, too, because that's when E.P. the Big Sister really happened. I was so proud!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:32 am: Thanks so much, Ria!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:34 am: Aww, yay! I love that you cry at weddings, too! And that we're such fabulous friends!

Thanks so much, lady! And I hope your birthday (and birthday weekend) were just as wonderful as mine! It was truly amazing.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:34 am: Thanks! I first got the idea from one of my favorite songwriters, and I started it on an old blog years ago. It's fun looking back and seeing the lessons I learned. And it's fun looking forward for the same reason.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:35 am: Thanks so much, Kaci!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:35 am: Thanks so much! It was a good birthday, though I didn't do much other than work. But it wasn't bad. And I got really pretty flowers. And then I made Lucy snuggle. So, all in all, it was a good day.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:36 am: Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I hope this year pushes me closer to my dreams, too! And I hope I get to see you soon!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:36 am: Thanks so much, love! I may or may not have teared up a little at your wedding, but I recovered quickly. There were no blurry photos, heh.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:37 am: Thanks so much, Melissa!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:37 am: Thanks, Courtney! I want to hang out and get sushi again SOON!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:37 am: Thanks so much, Amber! And yay for pasta! It's my favorite food, too, and I am seriously, seriously tempted to buy a pasta maker. But that could be really bad. In a good way, heh.
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:38 am: Thanks, Cait! It was a wonderful day!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:38 am: Aww, Jess! You're too sweet. I'm a fan of yours, too!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:39 am: That's totally OK! And thank you so much!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:39 am: Aww, thanks, Angela!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:39 am: Thanks so much, Erin! It really was a lovely day. It was really low-key, but it was perfect.

And I'm glad I am not the only one who cries at weddings!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:40 am: Thanks, Katelin! It was truly fabulous and relaxing!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:40 am: Thanks, Michelle!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:41 am: Aww, that is SO cute that your mom calls you and sings 'Happy Birthday' with whoever is around her. That's so sweet!

Thanks so much! This new year is off to an amazing start!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:42 am: I love your comment, Susan! I have always loved how my mother relives it with me, to let me know it was a big day for her, too, but I guess I've never put it together as eloquently as you just did. I love that you're going to be thinking about yours on your next one!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:42 am: Thanks so much!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:42 am: Haha, it's totally fine. I'm WAY behind on blog reading, too!

Thanks!
E.P. October 4, 2009 at 3:42 am: Haha, thanks so much, Maxie!