All About You FRIDAY – The Birthday Adventure

Let’s face it, out of all the holidays in a year, your birthday is the one that is designated to celebrate just you. As we age, we have a tendency to forego the celebration, thinking it unnecessary or a bother. But does it have to be that way?!

Over a decade ago, I started this thing I call The Birthday Adventure. I have children in my life who consider me a grandma (Lola) and in an attempt to connect with them on a deeper level, I started this tradition. A special day to do a 1:1 “adventure” and try something new. Originally, the two rules were:

One-on-one. No big party. Just the kid and me.
Try something new or different.

The Birthday Adventure has since been extended to the special adults in my life.

Here are some things I’ve done on Birthday Adventures:

Played video games at Zap Zone, Chuck E Cheese and Rev’d Up Fun
Gone fishing at Bishop Park in Wyandotte
Walked a mile into Downtown Plymouth and stopped to play at every playground we passed
Painted art at Creative Art Studio in Royal Oak
Played at the splash park on the Detroit River Front
Visited the Belle Isle Fountain
Visited LegoLand at Great Lakes Crossing
Gone indoor skydiving at iFly
Tried a new restaurant
Played at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit
Done an Escape Room

And now I have found myself in a place where the birthday adventure has turned back to me. I was handed an envelope recently by the one I love. It read “Birthday Adventure Itinerary”:

Visit the Michigan Central Station (I have been dying to see this!)
Do a bike tour of Corktown (biking, yes!)
Stay at the Shinola Hotel (I LOVE staying at hotels)
Eat breakfast at San Morello (good food, yes!)

I think the Master of the Birthday Adventure has just been one-upped! Adventure has been defined as “exploring new places, unknown ideas and grand mysteries”. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Give it a try. There must be someone you love having a birthday right around now. Planning and doing a birthday adventure will yield memories and stories for years to come. It is less about the money spent and more about the time and thought invested. I promise, you won’t regret it.

This world is a big place and there is a lot to explore and learn. Good luck on your future adventures.

It’s Friday and it’s been a long week. Don’t forget to celebrate.

Until next time…