I’ve never really had too much to complain about when it came to my birth date. How could I? In June, the sun usually shines, the weather is beautiful and school and universities are -- for the most part -- out of session. I’d have a wide array of celebration activities to choose from that are both indoor and outdoor plus the easier time frame to plan a fun trip if I so chose. Summer babies have a lot of leeway when it comes to birthday celebration options that some others do and that is definitely noted and much appreciated amongst those of us born in June, July and August.
However, it is also noted that when it comes to certain age-centered milestones, we may have the short end of the stick, which brings me to the woes of being a summer baby who feels like the last person in a friend group who gets to celebrate certain privileges that come after certain birthdays.
First, the 16th birthday. The taste of freedom on wheels becomes a reality for most people who turn 16 years old and for those who really want that privilege begin the process for that license at 15 and a half. At the time of my upcoming 16th birthday, I kept seeing many who posted pictures of their smiling face next to shiny, new licenses or their happy poses next to the car they were assigned to drive. I was happy for them and yet, there I was, having just gotten my temps and working towards that license because my birthday was a bit later in the year.
Then, the exciting 18th birthday that marked the beginning of adulthood and “being legal.” This milestone is more about status than an actual gain of skills, but it is thrilling nonetheless. Unless you are the one waiting for it to happen throughout the entirety of the school year.
Finally, perhaps the most monumental and the worst to have to wait for, the glorious 21st birthday. The age of legal alcohol consumption, otherwise considered the beginning of not having to worry about spicing up any party. Summer babies are the ones assigned to be the designated drivers. We are the ones teased about being the baby of the group as we sit there with a Coke while being surrounded by sparkling glasses of martinis. Unless you’re crafty and know that you won’t get caught with a fake I.D. (which for me, is so not the case), summer babies wait a whole college year to reach that “twenty-fun” year.
Despite these terrible waiting periods though, summer babies are pretty cool. If you think about it, everyone has to wait a year for their birthday, it’s just that some people have to lag behind a few others. Personally, I’ve got one friend with a September birthday, two with November birthdays, and one with a January birthday -- then there’s me with a June birthday. Then again, I get the birthday with the best weather, the best vacation time, and the best hang-out opportunities (unless work is involved). Geminis, Cancers and Leos unite!
