Tomorrow is my oldest son's birthday.
He was born on Cinco de Mayo in 1981.
Yes, he is turning 28. I think that gives me the oldest kid in the Mid-Century Modern Moms stable of writers. I also think -- that with 13 years from top to bottom -- I have the biggest age spread.
No biggie, really. And not my point, particularly. I have already told his birth story and a tale of his first days.
What strikes me about the Drummer Man's 28th birthday is this:
I was 28 when he was born. (Yes, you can do the math. MID-CENTURY doesn't mean the 1950s, ya know?)
At 28, he has a good job and a steady girlfriend. An apartment. He has gone back to school.
At 28, I was in the first year of my almost-30-year career at the same location. I was married -- now with a baby. I owned my own home. I had long since completed a master degree.
My 28 was pretty standard for the time.
His 28 is pretty standard for now.
I was all grown up.
He is ... my baby.
And he will always be your baby. Handsome to boot too.
Posted by: nikki | May 04, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Happy Birthday to your boy! I often think about how different my life is than my mom's. I'm 36, with a 4yo and a 17 month old. When she was 36, I was 15 years old!! That's crazy to me. But I guess as you said, is as normal for now as it was for then.
Posted by: Jill | May 04, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I'm turning 28 on May 30th. I was just crying the other night because I have no career (was getting into early ed. when I immigrated)and no children.
So I guess I have to say thank you for reminding me that I'm judging myself by a standard that isn't necessarily the norm anymore.
Posted by: Lilacspecs | May 04, 2009 at 01:01 PM
And he always will be your baby. Although ... I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing ... I'm 63 and my 82 year old mother STILL treats me like I'm twelve.
Posted by: lceel | May 04, 2009 at 02:59 PM
Happy Birthday to him!
Just think, now days a 30 year career in the same company is almost unheard of too. A lot happens in 28 years.
Posted by: Karmyn R | May 04, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Happy Birthday Drummer Man!
Posted by: Joyce-Anne | May 04, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Happy Birthday to your baby!
Posted by: Kaytabug | May 05, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Hmm. When I was 28 I was in the first of a series of jobs and still living with my mother (who was 49 then). When she was 28 she had 3 kids ages 0-6, had been widowed, and was on her second marriage. I'm 47 now with a 5- and 3-year-old - when she was 47 my brother and I had both graduated from college already and my sister was a junior. When the Queen is 28 - I'll likely be in an assisted living facility. :)
Posted by: Janet | May 06, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Oh, my. When my eldest turns 26 (I had just turned 26 when she arrived on the scene) I'm not sure how I'll react!
Posted by: Daisy | May 06, 2009 at 10:37 PM
And this is the only year he'll be exactly half your age. It'll never happen again. Which has nothing to do with anything. haha.
Posted by: Robinella | May 08, 2009 at 12:25 PM