I hate to complain about anything on this most sacred day in the Zielske household.
(Why is March 7 a sacred day around these parts?)
Well it's the Tween Day, you see. The day between Dan's birthday (March 6) and my birthday (March 8).
But before we were Mr. and Mrs. Z., my parents used to send me a card each year after I moved out and carefully tucked into that card was a crisp $100 check.
Yes, I know. Very generous and believe me, I was always appreciative of the gift.
But then something funny happened to my birthday card following October 19, 1991, the day I married the fine young man you see in the photo above.
My check amount was instantly and permanently cut in half.
I still remember my surprise when Dan opened his birthday card and shouted out, "HEY! Your parents gave me a check for $50. What'd you get?"
Sigh. The same thing.
Yeah, yeah⦠I know. What's his is mine and what's mine is his and blah, blah, blah.
But it still makes me kind of laugh all these years later when Dan opens his card and rubs it in.
Happy Tween Day, indeed.
And no worries, I'll be posting on my birthday. You know me. I could never throw away a golden opportunity to garner well wishes like that.
Because we all know the First Rule of Adult Era Birthdays: Tell everyone you know.
p.s. Thanks Mom and Dad. You know I still appreciate it.
Kathy says
It’a amazing how much your children look like you and Dan. Have a great b’day!
dawn says
This totally made my morning, LOVE IT!! How sweet is this picture, spitting image of your kids, I LOVE THAT!!
How fun to have bdays’ together and your story about your mom had me laughing and tearing up at the same time. What great parents you have!!
My hubby and I have back/to/back birthdays and it took years to explain this to our children, they thought it was planned so that we could be together one day and have the same birthday. They have fun each year making double of everything for us.
Happy Birthday to you both, hope it’s filled with laughs, hugs, love and great memories.
Tell your mom she ROCKS just like you do!!
Sue S says
I am joining in to say that it took a full minute to realize this was not an instagram photo of your kids. That pic is awesome. Happy tween day!!
heidig says
Happy belated Birthday Dan!
Toni from says
Happy birthday to you both!
Heather V says
Happy Birthday to both of you! Aidan looks just like you did in this picture!
Leora says
Happy TWEEN DAY to both of you! A week to celebrate at your house!!!
Carrie O says
Happy Tween Day to both of you. I can so relate to your story here.
donelle says
As mothers we never get tired of hearing this your beautiful daughter looks just like you. Happy Birthdays!
Susan says
who is the adorable little critter? (i mean besides Dan)
Teri H. says
I laughed at your disgruntled reluctance at sharing your birthday money with your husband. That is SO me.
I secretly hate sharing goodies with my kids too. My 6 year old stole my breakfast smoothie this morning. π
cathy says
Oh, that was our baby, Dylan. Sigh. She only lived to be 3. She developed a rare and severe form of epilepsy. So sad. : (
Becky @ Pieces of my Life says
Happy Tween Day. That is so funny but my parents give my husband the same amount at Birthday’s and Christmas that they give me. My DH always tells me that they love him more though. Now his parents are a totally different story as they use to give him $1 for every year he was old, that is until he hit 38 and then all money stopped and I have never received anything in the 24 years of marriage from them, but I have their son and that is present enough in my book.
Regina White says
That was so hilarious to me. I know why too cause it would have been the same thing I would have said and felt if I would have opened my card as well. goota love parents though. They are always generous and looking out for us. Great Story and Happy Birthday!
Design Editor says
This Christmas my husband made out like a BANDIT with gifts from my parents. I couldn’t resist a little, “Dude, I was here first.”
Sarah B R says
Yep Aidan looks just like you and Cole just like Dan.
My daughter is also like my twin π
My husband’s parents always get me better gifts… Not on purpose and the budget is the same for both of us but they’ll get the wrong size, cut, color for him and get it just right for me π
Happy birthday to both of you. Mine is the same as Aidan’s 03/29 π
cathy says
Well then happy early day to you! : ) A great day to be born!
Andrea says
Happy Tween day to you both! My husband and I have the same thing going with our birthdays, but September 13th (me) and 15th (him)! I think we will have to start celebrating our own Tween Day.
And I love that picture. As everyone else has mentioned your kids could be your twins!
Yolanda says
My husband and I are two days apart, too! January 24th (him) and January 26th (me). When we were dating and showing our IDs to get in bars, the close birth dates (and my husband’s eternal baby face) would make the bouncers take a closer look, assuming our IDs were fake.
Amy says
First, happy birthday!
Second, my significant other and I have birthdays 2 weeks apart in September. I call it the month of cake!
Aliza says
Happy Early birthday. It seem like just yesterday you were posting about 45.
Dorothy F says
Happy Birthday to both you and Dan. You both still look great!
Judy in Huntsville - A: says
LOVE birthday checks – so nice to have a little unbudgeted money to spend on whatever you want!! Enjoy!
cathy says
I know! How did that happen?
Julie says
That’s a great story and I would feel that same! LOL
brenda says
It seems I’m not the only one noticing how much your children look like you. When they close to your age you could get a very similar photo of them together that they could compare to their children some day. And, maybe you should take a current picture of you and Dan so they can do the same several years from now to see how similar they might still look to you both.
cathy says
Thats a great idea!
Lisa says
Happy Tween Day!
Sara Grafton says
Happy Birthday Cathy and Dan! Great story π
Angie Hall says
Yo, happy birthday to the both of you!
ale says
Happy Tween Day!!!
Melissa says
Cathy, this is for you!
http://1000awesomethings.com/2012/03/02/35-your-birthday-week/
Happy Birthday!
Tamera says
So first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Next, my husband and I were married 10/20/1990 – I know a day and a year off, but I think we have almost the same looking picture as yours and Dan’s. Only difference, we had a cocker spaniel (the test child before he proposed) and yet he sported the same hair style as Dan (except his was blonde and lightly bleached). Those were the days!! Happy birthday to you both!
Catherine says
Oh.My.Gosh. What an adorable picture! And funny story (as always)!
Barb in AK says
Cathy, Have you scrapped how much your kids look like their parents?? I wonder if their personalities follow suit, too?
Have a very happy birthday on Thursday!
Mandy says
Reading this a little late, but had to comment because today (the 7th) was/is my birthday. My husband’s is on the 13th and so after we got married, our parents began celebrating “our” birthday. Notice no s on birthday. Only, I still think he gets the better deal, because “our” birthday comes early for my parents and he gets his gift before or by his actual birthday. For his parents (or mom), it comes “late” so I have to wait for his celebration to go blow my wad. π Wah, wah, wah. Right? Hope y’all had great DAYS!
Kelli says
OMGoodness! You could re-create this picture with your kids in place of you guys!
Claudia McDaniel says
Happy Tween Day! Y’all are just so freaking awesome – the whole dang lot of you!
THE Megan says
I have to ask: When people tell you that you and your daughter look alike, do you say in your head: ‘what they hell are they thinking? She is WAAY more beautiful than me?’ I get that all the time, and I legitimately don’t see it. Yes, we look alike, but she is STUNNING. I’m 47. π I always tell people : ‘She’s everything I was supposed to be’ π