The hard thing about having a Holiday birthday is that normally people can’t hang out…at least from what I’ve heard.

I was born the day before St. Patrick’s Day. Growing up, this never affected anything when it came to celebrating my birthday with friends. Then I grew up. Who would guess the national Irish-American drinking day would really mess with my ability to have a nice party to celebrate the day of my birth with friends.

In the beginning, after Nathan left, going out to the town’s most popular Irish pub for my birthday was amazing. I pretended everyone was there to celebrate me. To make it even better, I’m an auburn, green eyed, pale skin, Irish girl. It’s my birthday, and we’re celebrating my heritage? Ok!

Then I settled down with Daniel. The idea of drinking endless amounts of free shots and a Guinness or two all night did not seem as appealing to me anymore. I do still love going to the Irish pub and getting myself a Guinness every now and again, but on my birthday, now, I would rather be at home or somewhere other than a bar. That was a birthday social sacrifice I didn’t realize I was making. I now see the truth. I now feel the holiday birthday struggle.

No one wants to come hang out with me on my birthday, they want me to come hang out with them. At the bar. Getting drunk. With no idea what the real importance of St. Patrick’s Day means to the Catholics, especially the Irish Catholics. I’m guilty of the celebration, but really it was for myself.

I would rather go on a hiking trip, or stay at home and drink a few brewskies with some close friends and hang out. If friends were willing to not go out on my birthday maybe I could.

I refuse to celebrate my birthday on another day, though.

Thank Goodness I have Daniel. He doesn’t like to go out much either. He took me out to eat got me a present I really wanted (instead of a shot), and spent the day letting me have my way.

Oh, and my roommate made me this awesome cake that I love so much!

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