Turn Back Time?

It’s that time of year…again. My birthday. When you were a kid, you couldn’t wait to turn one year older because it always meant you were one year closer to something cool like high school or driving. Each birthday was a rite of passage and we couldn’t wait to be treated like “adults.” Now, as we grow older, we often wish to turn back the hands of time.
Being an “adult” isn’t always what we imagined it would be. I miss naptime and pudding pops. I miss sleep-overs with my girlfriends and the anticipation of a new school year. I miss being so excited before my birthday that I couldn’t sleep the night before. I don’t think I get that excited about anything anymore.
So, in an effort to stay kid-like, my friends and I threw ourselves a birthday bash. Each year, I celebrate my birthday with two of my friends and this year, we threw a good ol’ “Redneck” themed birthday party, complete with beer can garland, NASCAR décor, and a birthday cake made entirely of Little Debbie products.
The cake started with a layer of Zebra cakes, followed by Twinkies, Swiss Rolls, and topped off with Nutty Buddy bars. “Redneck” food abounded with items such as cowboy caviar, tater tot casserole, homemade corndogs, potato chip cookies and ice cream bread,. Yes, there is such a thing as ice cream bread. It’s delicious! No party would be complete without a ton of bbq and Publix fried chicken. (If you read this column often, then you know that I am slightly obsessed with Publix fried chicken.)
My husband, who moonlights as the trivia host at Smoky Oak Tarpoom on Tuesday nights, even made us a custom redneck-themed trivia game. The prizes were cheap, tacky, and hilarious, the grand prize being of which was a half-drank bottle of whiskey. A good time was had by all.
Today, I thought about turning one year older and I realized that with each year, I know myself a little better. I know the things that truly make me happy in this life are the times I spend with my family and friends. It doesn’t matter what we are doing, when we are doing it together, I’m happy. I don’t wish to turn back the hands of time. I’m glad to be at the age where I know what makes me happy and I know to be grateful for it.
 
Katie Wells is growing older, not up. How do you celebrate your birthday? Let her know at katie@kewsolutionsinc.com.