Another Birthday at the Transition from Summer to School Year

Last week, I celebrated my 49^th birthday. Throughout my childhood, as much as I looked forward to my birthday, it was also a reminder that the summer break was coming to an end and my mother, father (both of whom were schoolteachers), brother, and I would all be returning to school. As much as I was looking forward to seeing friends and learning something new, I enjoyed the unstructured time that came with summer. My brother joined my parents in that profession, so all of them were returning to school. And a little later in life, I am now also a teacher and find myself returning to school, same as my children, Cade and Liberty.

Just as my birthday marks the end of summer and the return to school, I wanted this one to be something a bit more special.  It was going to be a birthday celebration with my children, but it was also my first birthday I got to spend with my partner Mara, making it even more special and important. When anyone is bringing a few of their favorite people together for a special occasion like their birthday, it is high risk. For years, my children and I have shared these special moments with each other, and as I bring someone new to the table it is scary for me.

Rather than go out to a restaurant, I decided to make our meal at home. While we weren't going to be up in New England, I chose to embrace our trips north and make lobster rolls for the celebration. I can never keep things simple, so I decided we would make both the Maine-style lobster rolls (cold with mayonnaise) and the Connecticut-style lobster rolls (warm with butter) and do a taste test to see which would be better.

Maine and Connecticut Style Lobster Rolls (Photo by Mara)

Cade is my chief collaborator in the kitchen. He makes me a better cook holding me to the exact recipe and questioning my approach. Cade took care of cooking the lobster and toasting the New England-style buns. Whenever we are working together in the kitchen, Cade improves the food and makes everything better. It is such a joy for me to work in the kitchen with him.

By the time we were done, we had enough for four of each. We started by cutting the first two in half. Everyone got to try both the Connecticut versus the Maine. To the relief of Cade and me, we all enjoyed both rolls very much. But, we can each only have one favorite. Mara and Liberty chose the Maine Lobster Roll, and Cade and I selected the Connecticut Lobster Roll. Fortunately, there was enough so that each person got a full lobster roll of their favorite one.

After we had enjoyed our rolls, my children gave me their gifts. Just like Cade excels in the kitchen, Liberty excels as a gift giver. On behalf of her and Cade, she had selected a book of poetry, a candle, a leather-bound journal, and a throw with orange stripes in honor of Taylor Swift. But, the most treasured item I received was a card with a heartfelt message – a good reminder that I should be giving out more cards.

As we sat in the living room with our stomachs full from our lobster rolls and talking about the upcoming school years, I was basking in the moment of us sharing time together as the summer break was coming to an end and another school year was about to begin. It was an amazing few hours with my favorite people: Cade, Liberty, and Mara. It was not just the end of summer and a new school year, but the start of a new chapter in my family life.