I was born on the 15th of February, one day after the consumeristic holiday known as Valentines Day. As a wee lass, I loved the back to back celebrations. In elementary school this meant a day of Halloween like trick or treating around the classroom giving valentines to my classmates, followed by a day of cupcakes for the class courtesy of my mom.
Any excuse to cut math short was a good excuse…
As I got older the traditions continued – a box of chocolate from my mom or from adolescent relationships, followed by a day of celebrating all things Brittany’s life. Now as I inch myself closer and closer to middle age, I find the concept of keeping these two days exclusive a bit…much. Who needs that much sugar after they hit 30?
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good excuse to make a nice meal with a special someone, and this was the first time in eight years I had that special someone. Duncan asked what I wanted to do for Valentines Day, and we both decided on a salmon and Brussels sprout feast. I’m not into expensive flowers, jewelry, or whatever else has been marketed to women, but I did buy Duncan the above succulent from Trader Joe’s.
I’m one of minimalistic taste, and that white pot with the tiny heart sold me immediately.
For my birthday we ventured towards North Bend for a hike I had done many, many times. In fact I hiked here on my 28th birthday as well. My how time flies. I was hopeful the weather would cooperate, but the higher we got the colder we felt. The rain started to fall as we reached the viewless summit, and my plans of eating a muffin at the top quickly blew away with the chilly wind.
I had hoped to show Duncan the amazing view from the top, but it was just too cloudy and cold. We decided to make haste and get out of the clouds. I’m thankful he was such a trooper and willing to hike with me in the cold rain. I like doing something adventurous on my birthday, typically a nice hike, and this was a lovely adventure.
Perhaps because I didn’t sleep well, perhaps because of lingering Covid fatigue, or perhaps because I am now one year closer to death, I found myself more tired than anticipated after this hike. Duncan and I were lights out at 1800. How far I have come from the days I enjoyed staying out until all hours of the morning on my birthday…
With the two days of extra chocolate concluded, Duncan coined the 14th and 15th as Birthentines Day. I quite enjoy the sound of that.
I may or may not have had this balloon sticking out of my hiking pack… (I did.) I did have this balloon sticking out of my pack, and a girl passed us excitedly wishing me a HBD. It’s the little things.
Q: Do you have a birthday close to another holiday? I will hardly consider Valentines Day as a holiday, but it’s as close as I will ever get.
Blissfulbritt 
17 thoughts on “Birthentines Day”
Rootchopper
You are beaming in the picture!
My birthday is in mid-August. As a kid I had mixed feelings about it because summer vacation was almost over. Around my tenth birthday, my two grandmothers and my godmother died. Getting presents at a wake is a totally bizarre experience.
As you know my son learned the hard way that Covid can mess you up in unexpected ways. A friend in DC who was booster said her lungs didn’t clear for 7 weeks after she tested negative.
So, don’t overdo it. And Happy Birthentines Day.
Brittany
Thank you friend!! What can I say, spending time with Duncan releases my inner glow.
I cannot imagine trying to understand two family members dying around my birthday and getting gifts. Clearly something you won’t forget.
Spring needs to hurry up, I need more natural vitamin D for my cells.
Rootchopper
I grew up in the snowy northeast. March was endless. We’ll be awash in blooms here in DC in no time.
gpavants
Brittany,
I am near Dr. Seuss’ Bday, March 4th.
Thanks, Gary
Brittany
Happy early birthday! I hope tomorrow finds you well.
kim
happy b day from another feb 15 person. I laughed out loud because even though i am almost ready for medicare, i remember fondly the valentine day cupcakes and then my birthday cupcakes at school. My mom was in labor over 24hrs. and i missed vday by 2 1/2 hours. She’s now 98 and probably healthier than all of us except for a now dislocated hip. I spent my day quietly at the library doing genealogy research. I hate the fact that it’s sometime lumped in with the presidents monday day off, making it hard to escape on a quite getaway. Always enjoy your posts, take care. kim
Brittany
Happy belated my fellow 15th baby! I’ve only met one other person who shares our day. Your day sounded lovely.
Gold star for you mom with her labor, my goodness!
Amy
Homemade food, a hike, a fantastic human… and chocolate. That sounds like a wonderful birthday to me!! (Minus the rain, of course. 😉 ) Funny enough, my birthday is 6 months away from Christmas, so as a little kid, I loved that I got to unwrap presents *exactly* every 6 months. However, as a teenager, it did delay getting my driver’s permit a bit… It may come as no surprise, but the DMV office is closed on big holidays like that. 😉
Brittany
You have the perfect separation of birthday/big holiday! I never got my permit, I had to wait until I was 18 to drive. My parents felt I was a bit…rebellious. 😂
Pree
Happy belated birthday!! I absolutely hate the consumeristic sides of holidays. I don’t get flowers lol but give me all the chocolate except dark 😂😂 lights out at 18:00 after a long hike? Ugh amazing. Totally relate to the appeal of that as an old soul myself ☺️
Brittany
Thank you! I adoreee dark chocolate, so you can have all the milk chocolate. We will get along great!
Peg
My birthday is close to July 4th, so we always had a cookout on the weekend in between. Good times!
Brittany
That sounds like a great treat!
miaross514
Happy super late womb liberation day! From your posts, I am assuming you’re in WA. I am too and it’s nice to meet a fellow blogger! Love your blog and pics. 😊
Brittany
Omg womb liberation day is the best thing I have ever heard!! Thank you. 😂
I am in WA! Hello to a fellow Washingtonian!
Mike Moore
My wife was born the same day as you!! 🙂
Good read, beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing.
I was born on 4-4, and my birthday has been on Easter Sunday twice, maybe 3 times 😀
Brittany
Aww, a birthday twin! Happy belated to your wife, and happy early birthday to you!