Lets face it, birthdays were more fun in elementary school. Our parents would plan extravagant themed parties with piñatas, pizza, candy, and all of the most elaborate decoration possible. We would dress up as pirates, superheroes, athletes, and princesses. We would go to the aquarium, zoo, and skateboard park. The parties weren’t just for the kids, but the parents as well. It was a relaxing time to celebrate another year older while enjoying the company of our closest friends.

As we grew older, parties transformed into expensive dinners at places like The Melting Pot, Benihana, The Space Needle, or basically anywhere that cooked overpriced cuisine. The same feeling of excitement still existed as we blew out candles on homemade cakes and spent valuable time with loved ones.

On my 16th birthday, twenty of my closest friends embarrassed me by singing Happy Birthday as loud as humanly possibly so that anyone and everyone would know what day it was. On my 17th birthday, my friends brought me Starbucks and planned an entire day of birthday shenanigans. On my 18th birthday, I registered to vote and realized that it would be my last celebration at home before heading off to college.

All of a sudden, you’re whisked off into this foreign place of education, surrounded by strangers and alcoholism. Birthdays become forgotten.

When we were younger, our friends were given 18 years to memorize our day of birth. Now, Facebook notifications remind our new acquaintances of the annual event. The day becomes less special.

Gone are the days of endless attention. We still have to go to class, do our homework, go to work, and go on with our normal daily responsibilities. The 700-person lecture won’t start singing to you because then they would have to do that everyday. Birthday parties only conclude with hangovers.

As a result, the small things become more appreciated. You find yourself looking forward to that simple phone call from your parents wishing you a happy day. Nothing plasters a smile onto your face like the much-needed emoji-filled text message from that friend at college across the country.

Birthdays might not feel as momentous as before, but it is the friends that truly make the day worthwhile. Instead of waiting for other people to commemorate the day, it is important to take the time to appreciate yourself and your own accomplishments.

Here's to a new year of celebrating yourself!