Save Room for Dessert

With the big game out of the way, now I can concentrate on one of my favorite holidays, my birthday.

Growing up, mom always made sure to make my birthday special. As a child, this included piñatas, clowns, parties, and having lots of family and friends over the house. As I got older, moved to college, started my first job, and eventually moved out on my own, I’ve managed to keep some of these traditions alive. In many ways, these traditions remind of being home, mom preparing my favorite meal, and spending time with my family.

This year however I have been dreading my birthday because I imagined that by now (somewhere close to being 30) I would have been in a different place. By a different place, I mean married and starting a family. It’s hard not to feel this way when most of my peers are either tying the knot or welcoming new members to their family. My own little sister is a mom to two toddlers!

Now here is the problem, I know I am not ready for marriage or to be a poppa. For one, I enjoy being single. Second, my idea of raising kids has always involved boarding school. Third, I am terrified of having to share a bathroom or having to start buying double-ply tissue paper.

So for my birthday this year, I am going to buy a stand-mixer and bake myself a cake. I am going to figure out how the oven works and buy a spatula (I imagine you will need one of these). Instead of focusing on where I thought I should have been by now, I’ll start by learning a few basic lessons.

I imagine I will call mom and ask for her for help baking the cake.