When I was a kid, a summer birthday was a bummer. My brother’s birthday is the day before mine.

On July 23rd (his B-day) or the 24th (mine) we often shared a cake that was frosted and candled in gender-neutral colors. The guest list was mostly neighbors and cousins who weren’t out of town on family vacations.

I was one of the youngest kids in my grade. Very few classmates witnessed my transformation from one digit to two, or from tween to teen.

On the day of my actual birthday, I felt like I woke up older, wiser, and oh so much cooler. But no one noticed!

Around my thirtieth birthday, the tables turned. I enjoyed watching my friends age months before me. 

Eventually, I learned that summertime birthdays have many advantages.

National Tequila Day falls on July 24th.

My husband never forgets my birthday or the flowers. Read my essay about the best birthday ever!

I Googled my birth date and found I’m among interesting company—Alexandre Dumas (1870) Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo. Lynda Carter (1951) the famous Wonder Woman. Alice Ball (1892) African American chemist who developed a treatment for leprosy. And my favorite inspirational author Oswald Chambers (1874) My Utmost For His Highest.

This year, I took a book out to the pool and read for most of the day. A perfect birthday.

How do you celebrate your special day?