I grew up in an average family where no one cared about birthdays. so, I didn't even know the exact date I was born until I was 22. Even Though I knew my birth date, I was less concerned about celebrating it. Sometimes I forget my birthdays, thanks to Facebook which became my reminder. It was on my 24th birthday that my girlfriend in school decided to make it look special, the truth is, it looked all strange to me. I am used to waking up on my birthdays and acting like it's a normal day, sometimes sleep all through, so when she tried making it a surprise, It was more of a burden than fun.
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I knew she planned to bake a cake, although she intended to make it a surprise. She brought the cake early that morning wrapped in a fancy leather and a wine with it and instructed that I do not cut it because there was more surprise coming. It happened the surprise was an arranged party, I hate gatherings but decided to let her do it because it was her way of showing she cared. There was an MC who cheered the day up, a few of my friends and hers on a round table, and me sitting like a dumb guy in the middle imagining what's going on. I had a few minutes dance first with her, then alone, and was invited for a speech.
What was also memorable for me that day was the early morning bathing I got from friends. I had dressed up for lecture when they arrived all holding a bucket of water, there was no excuse for me as they wet my dress. The cake, party, morning bathing are things I had never done since I was born. My birthdays were like a normal day, no one even wakes me up with "happy birthday" greetings, so birthday was not held with high regard by me but that year changed my perspective about birthday. Though I don't celebrate it, I try to make myself happy.