Episode 13: Happy Birthdays
I grew up in the 1980s, which was the prime time for slumber party birthday parties. Between the years of 1987-1989, every girl I knew had a slumber party, except me. I think the first slumber party I went to was when I was 10 or 11. I remember there was pizza, 2- liter soda bottles, a lot of giggly girls, many of whom I am still friends with, karaoke to Paula Abdul, a movie or two, and absolutely no sleep. I enjoyed everything up until the NO SLEEP. I was definitely sheltered because I didn't realize staying up all night was part of the slumber party experience. The rule of slumber parties is that the first person to fall asleep gets pranked--put her hand in warm water so she pees in her pants, shaving cream on the face, or even freezing her bra, though at the time, none of us were really wearing bras. I was always the first one asleep, because I refused to be miserable. Fortunately for me, my best friends forever, Emily and Claire, always had my back. They would tell everyone how grumpy I could be if anyone messed with my sleep, so they would leave me alone. They weren't lying, either--don't mess with my sleep.
In theory, slumber parties are lots of fun, especially in the 1980s, when parents let the girls run rampant throughout the house all night. I think 1980s parents got a really solid 8 hours of sleep when their kids had slumber parties. I never asked for a slumber party, because I generally loathed them. I preferred the standard parties where you did something fun for a few hours--roller skating, bowling, the movies, pool party, even a McDonald's party--and then everyone went home.
Even though slumber parties were my least favorite of celebrations, there is something very nostalgic about them now that I am in my mid 40s. How cool would it be to gather all of my best girlfriends, kick Jeff and Devin out for the night, and recreate all of the major tropes of the slumber party, BUT we are in bed by 10. We can have pizza and non-caffeinated soda, cookies and cupcakes that no one had to make unless they wanted to, and play with the Ouija board, but with the lights on so nothing spooky will happen. the whole "Light As A Feather, Stiff As A Board" thing. We could bingewatch "Gilmore Girls," even though most of us have seen the entire series 10 times through, or watch a true crime docuseries. We would be in bed by 10, and everyone would get a comfy bed. And I would pay someone to plan the whole thing, since a birthday party is no fun if you have to do all of the work yourself.
I am turning 46 on June 13th, and this is the first year that I don't have any ideas on how to celebrate, and don't have anything I want on my gift list. Jeff was the same way, though he usually wants something low key. This year, he wanted to go bowling, but we had to put that off for Devin to do batting practice. We had sushi, and went home for some carrot cake. I might take that day to go paddleboarding by myself for some Zen, and I always want chocolate cake. The thought of another year older is just overwhelming sometimes. Instead of looking forward to a new milestone, I think, "I am another year closer to death." I know that is morbid, but that is where my mind goes. I'm trying to switch it into something optimistic, like "Let's celebrate another year of me!" or "I survived another year, let's celebrate!" but that has been hard to do lately. Sheesh, when did I become so depressing?!
Happy 46th Birthday to me, and Happy 46th Birthday to Jeff! One very bright thing is that we have been able to celebrate 27 birthdays together. I am grateful that I am growing old with someone who makes me laugh, is someone I can share everything with, is super cute, and is truly an amazing friend, husband and father.
Okay, let me go on Amazon so I can give Jeff a solid birthday gift list.
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