This one goes out to those of you who have the unfortunate timing of leaving the womb in the beautiful month of September! I want to use this moment to give you a happy Birthday! I hope you had or had a great birthday and celebration. As a co-September birthday, I want to encourage you as you work your way through the next school year or through your job.
For those who weren’t born in September, you probably think it’s weird that I wish happy birthday people born in a certain month, but let me explain. September, while blessed with beautiful weather and the beginning of autumn, is not so nice for people born in that month. As a student, September is usually the first month of school and usually the most inconvenient. You all know what I’m talking about; that moment when you really should try to make friends. You get a chat here and there, sit next to your classmates, and you decide who you want to be your friend with. That is amazing!
…Except that it’s already October. Your birthday is over. Your friendships grow stronger as you struggle through the school day and try to finish the cumbersome homework for class the next day. Eventually you come later in the school year and everyone starts talking about their birthdays!
Hurrah! That one conversation you didn’t want to have because it’s extremely awkward. Everyone walks in a circle and says their birthday, but you only remember a handful and have to ask five more times. Either that, or you let Facebook remind you (honestly, I love this feature. It helps so much). It’s your turn and you have the joyous opportunity to tell your friends that your birthday is already over; in fact it was last month. The whole room tells you happy belated birthday and you half smile, but it’s not the same.
You don’t really care about the gifts or the party you missed. The real problem is that you have to relive this scenario every year for the rest of your academic career. The awkward silence that follows, the shifting eyes as you all try to figure out what to talk about next. The conversation eventually ends and don’t worry, no one will remember what just happened.
Well, except your friends the following year! A select few will remember and wish you a happy birthday next year. You go out to celebrate or whatever your way of fun is, and you will enjoy your birthday this time!
But it’s a shame for all those uncomfortable first conversations. And that’s why you get a free happy birthday from me. Enjoy yourself and your new year!