Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A Cowbell and a Song

Birthdays at boarding school were alright. I mean, you were miles from your real family, but there were always lots of members of your school "family" with whom to celebrate. But then again, there was that dreaded lunchtime song. Lunches in the dining room were family style as opposed to the buffet style breakfast and dinner we were served. Family style meant we had to sit at assigned tables and partake in the meal together. At some point, an adult would ring a cowbell indicating we must all be quiet to hear announcements. After general announcements, came the birthday recognitions. If it was your birthday, you had to stand while all almost-200 people sang Happy Birthday to you. It was the longest rendition of Happy Birthday you'd have ever had the opportunity of hearing, and by the time it was over, you'd sit down, red-faced.

Thankfully, I spent all of my school years sharing the lunchtime birthday recognition with Mark. Of course, I never dreamed I would marry him, but sharing that moment always made that announcement so much more bearable. Not only was he a "big kid" and therefore cooler than cool, but it also took some of the pressure off during those few moments of song.

Now, while there is no lunchtime song--unless performed by four adorable children--I still love that I get to celebrate my birthday on the same day as Mark. Of course, I must point out that yesterday Mark turned the big 4-0, while I am 3 years behind him! But there is no one I would rather grow old with, and I am so grateful he was born and that our paths crossed in the just the right place and in just the right time years down the road from those moments following the infamous cowbell!

13 comments:

Bunch of Barrons said...

That's really cool! My cousin and her husband share a birthday, too. I absolutely dread having everyone sing to me...and usually it's only a few people, not 200. Wow! :)

ballast photography said...

Oh, how sweet! What a wonderful story...I had no idea you grew up with your husband. I meant to wish you a happy birthday on fb yesterday...but was interrupted by the continual eruption of upheaval. So here's a belated happy birthday to you--and Hubs, too :)

Sparkling Adventures said...

Lovely memories that you're sharing, Kathleen!

I always hated my birthday, especially after one dorm mother forgot it!

Anonymous said...

Ahh, I had forgotten about the cowbell! How could I forget something like that! Happy Birthday!

Amy @ Cheeky Cocoa Beans said...

What a wonderful story y'all share! :) Happy birthday to both of you!! Hope you had a great day...and that there was no cowbell involved. ;)

Teacher Mommy said...

And a happy birthday to you both! That's so sweet and awesome.

(What does it say about me that I was always insanely jealous that I NEVER got that song sung to me in the dining hall because it fell on Christmas?

Sigh. I was always such an attention whore.)

Unknown said...

Great story! Happy birthday to both of you!

tsinclair said...

Happy Birthday to both of you. And, make sure you enjoy the next few years.
Paul loves to tease that he is 3 years younger than me and therefore still in his 30's.

He'll catch up one day, well sort of. As long as we are in the same decade it does not seem to matter. :-)

CrossView said...

Happy Birthday to you both! That's avtually kind of neat that you got to marry that cool kid. ;o)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!!

*the big 4-0 ain't so bad--especially after you've celebrated it a few times* hee hee

@nnie said...

that is really a sweet story; i'm sure you've passed it to your kids. one thing i feel sad about is that i didn't meet Tom til we were "older" (late twenties) and I missed a lot of his life. Wish I had known him forever. been missing your blog. I see you haven't changed a bit... awesome post!

@nnie said...

P.S.

HaPpY bIrThDaY!!!!
The world is a more beautiful place with You in it!

Linda said...

We all wanted to marry 'the cool older kid'. Congratulations. and a very blessed [belated] birthday.