I don’t know many people who love November as much as I do. Sure some like it because it means breaking out the musty sweaters, lighting the first fire in the fireplace, the beginning of the Holiday season, etc. But for me, November is about so much more; it’s all about my birthday. Some folks celebrate just their birth day, some maybe take a weekend or stretch out the week, but I have a birthday month. Am I slightly narcissistic? Yes, but follow me here. When is it ever a bad thing to celebrate being born?

I don’t have elaborate parties every year or expect lavish gifts. I just want people to acknowledge that special day and so I give them plenty of fair warning by dropping hints that November 17 is just a couple of weeks away.

Last year I turned 30 and it was, by far, the coolest birthday I have ever experienced. My husband, with the assistance of one of my best friends, went all out to deliver the most amazing November birthday yet. My birthday was on a Saturday last year and happened to fall on the day of the Milwaukee Holiday parade. When I woke up that morning I was handed a clue a la “The Amazing Race”. I had to shower and shave my legs (you’ll find out why later) and get dressed warmly. I was to look up the address on my clue to figure out where we were going, which ended up being the parade. Prior to arriving at the parade I had a clue to stop at Stone Creek Coffee where my brother and his fiancé ended up surprising me. I was then to look for the man in the yellow hat. That man turned out to be my dad. He and my mom had reserved a prime spot for us at the parade. Mid-way through the parade I received another clue to leave with Jessica and head to the next address. We spent the rest of the afternoon receiving spa treatments at Spa Roma (hence the shaved legs). At the end of our spa day, I was handed a clue that led me to the Hilton. There I checked into a room and to my surprise, my family, including Audrey were there. They had spent the day at the water park and waited for my arrival. I had just a few moments to relax before I was told to get ready for my next stop. My husband had brought me a great “going out” outfit, and was shocked to know that he even brought me a matching coat. Jess and I then ended up at Blu where the cocktail waitress handed me my final clue. On the back of each clue there was a letter and I needed to unscramble the letters to lead me to my final destination: Rock Bottom. There, in the basement, were 30 of my friends and family waiting to give me my final SURPRISE. Patrick had special drinks made in my honor, commemorative pint glasses for every guest, and then had people explain to me that he had been planning that event for more than 6 months. I knew there were a few reasons I married this guy!

In the history of all birthdays, I don’t know that anything will top that, and to be honest, I don’t need that to be topped. My 30th gave me enough memories to continue on for a very long time, but this doesn’t mean that I give every one a free pass to forget me this November!