Friday was a good day at school. How could it not be? It was my birthday, and although I’ve been coy with my students about my age, I let every period know that it was my birthday. And of course, because the teacher was in a good mood, the students were, too.
In fourth period, I asked a group of students how to say Happy Birthday in Spanish. Their eyes lit up, as they got their chance to teach the teacher.
“Feliz cumpleaños!” they told me.
I dutifully repeated back the phrase. And then I quietly added, “Today’s my birthday.”
Their eyes lit up. “Your birthday!?” they shouted so everyone in the room looked over. And one of them held up her finger and waved it in the air.
“One, two, three…” she said.
And all the students proceeded to sing me Happy Birthday.
It was the highlight of a good day.