I was the little girl who spent months planning the perfect birthday party. I would have sheets of my notebook containing the theme, food, games, and the ever important list of invites to send. I established the perfect theme first and foremost - Blues Clues, Barbie, cooking, the ever important roller skating - thus making my birthday party the best day of the year. I remember stressing over which party favors to get and whether or not to play two games or three. It was the best time to bring all of my closest friends and family together, but not in the usual stressful holiday fashion. I cherish the memories of birthday party games, cake, and festivities through the years more than almost any other tradition. If you haven't guessed, birthdays are my favorite holiday, but not for the reason you may be thinking.

I love not only my birthday (April 22nd FYI), but celebrating the special people in my life's birthdays as well. I already have my friends' 21st birthdays planned out and ready to go. I spend hours contemplating the best surprise to make that person smile. No, I'm not talking about the ordinary present wrapped up in paper and tied up with a bow. I'm talking about a present to remind them they are loved, appreciated and deserve to celebrate. As I get older I find the best birthdays don't involve presents and sashes exclaiming Birthday Girl; it is about collectively bringing the people that matter most in my life together in one place. To take one day to dance our butts off, play stupid card games, and have the excuse to eat as much cake as we so desire. Each year we have one day to pretend we are turning 10 again (hello double digits!) and have the excitement it brings.

How often do we take the time to truly celebrate ourselves? To celebrate how our lives have changed in 365 days? Sure, we have New Year's Day to think of how our year has gone by, but we share that day with the rest of the world. Our birthdays are a reason to remember we are alive, we are breathing, and we are special in this world. Instead we either brush it off as another day or as the years go on we make the remark, "Oh yeah this is my third 31st birthday" rather than jumping for joy that we survived another year on this earth.

Not only do we disregard our birthdays as a time where we will gain a few extra wrinkles, but we take it as a time to compare ourselves with others who are the same age as us in terms of success - by 21 some of my friends already have a successful job, have started a family, and/or have traveled to all 50 states. But if we all looked at others in terms of how they spent their time, shouldn't that enlighten us to pursue our own dreams? They say another year older is another year wiser--another year of stories, memories, and joys.

This year I'm taking the extra step to celebrate the miracle of birthdays with everyone I know and love. To make it their day to smile non stop and feel important, because that is exactly what they are to me. There are people in this world who will never celebrate another birthday, but we have that chance. So bust out the candles, balloons, and get ready to feel twenty two (or thirty five or even fifteen). Because what better time to be alive and celebrate your special day?