"Get whatever I want Day"

Today is my birthday! 31 years. I'm not just "thirty" I'm "in my thirties"...it sounds weird. Its weird for me to think that I have a brother who is 41 and one who is 39. Old.

I'm not one of those people who hides from their birthday. I get that from my dad I think. My dad, who died of cancer 10 years ago at age 60, was infamous for talking up his birthday. It didn't matter what age he was...people were NOT going to forget his birthday, September 23rd. He was the guy that on Sept. 24th would remind everyone that there were only 364 days left until his next birthday. He was funny about it. He was very sick in the hospital on his 60th birthday (only about a month before his death) and we still celebrated it. Not only was he turning 60...but he was turning 60 and about to die. He still was happy to celebrate. I remember the day very clearly.

So of course, I do complain a bit (or maybe a lot) about turning 31...but I will never dread my birthday. I liked my dad's attitude about life and he really was one to just embrace it.

I also am not one of those people who expect the world to stop on my birthday. I honestly and truly don't expect that I be thrown a party or be given gifts or cards. I don't really expect the day to run much differently than every other day...but somewhere, somehow...Josh and I started implementing the "get whatever I want" idea for each others birthdays.

You see, "get whatever I want" comes within reason. I mean, I can't go tell Josh that I want a new car and expect that. Obviously..that's not happening. "Get whatever I want" is more like anything that is possible for Josh to do for me in the 24 hour span of my birthday he will do it..and do it happily. Same goes for him on his birthday. So in other words...if I want him to give the kids a bath tonight he will. If I want him to do the dishes, he will. If I want him to go get me pizza for dinner he will. If I want him to cook me dinner he will. If I want him to rub my feet he will. We jokingly watch the clock real closely. Like last night...we were joking because it was 11:20 and I was trying to keep him awake on the couch so that I could get a foot rub before going to bed. Its 24 hours:)

The thing that is kind of funny is that everyday is really a "get whatever I want day" because I have the best husband EVER. There is nothing in the above paragraph that I would get if I asked for it...even if it wasn't Oct 22nd. There's just something about it being "get whatever I want day" that makes me feel fine about asking..and about asking for all of those things in one day! I mean..it is all about me today, right?

Unfortunately, I have a husband who works long days and will be gone most of the day...but I assure you, I will pack as much "get whatever I want" into the few hours that we have when he's home tonight!

I strongly suggest that everyone implement "get whatever I want day". It works well all around. Just remember...it will be your turn to "give whatever he/she wants" at some point down the road!