Once upon a time, as a child, my birthdays were celebrated each summer on June 22th. There was never any reason to question my birthdate. My birthday was my birthday, like my brown eyes were brown. I had three brothers, and they all had their own birthdays. So did my friends. So did Mom and Dad. So, why would I ever question that?  

I guess I never would have except for that visit to the courthouse to get a copy of my (apparently lost) birth certificate when I was 14.  See, I was ready to get my driver's permit, and I couldn't apply for it without my birth certificate. So, one day, Mom and I went to get it. As we're standing on the marble floor at the marble counter in the old building, the clerk handed me the birth certificate as my mom wrote the check, and SHAZZAM! I was instantly struck with the fact that the date on it said June 20th. Not June 22nd! Instantly, I looked at her with squinty eyes. "Mom, WHY does this say my birthday is June 20th?" Her eyes got wide, and she slapped her hand over her mouth and said almost inaudibly "I tried to tell them!". She went on to explain (as I stood there with crossed arms), that she thought my birthday was the 20th, and she tried to tell them (them?) but they convinced her otherwise. I was soooo insulted. Let's just say it was a long drive home.

As we drove back home, I thought "Geez...my own parents don't know my birthday....What else did they get wrong?" Mom occasionally laughed a little and said "I'm so sorry!!!" I could tell she was trying to suppress outright laughter. I think I may have laughed a little too. But I also decided that I had the all ammunition I'd need until I grew up. I knew I had the upper hand then. I couldn't WAIT to get home and tell my brothers and espcially my dad.

When he got home that night from work, I told him the story. He said "I tried to tell your mother!" and of course he got a big kick out of it. He laughed and laughed. My brothers laughed.  I tried to keep a stern look on my face, but eventually I had to crumble, because, well, it was pretty  funny. Okay, really funny. I mean, how many people can claim their birthdate changed when they were 14?

Each year thereafter, I got all kinds of teasing from family and friends,  "Now, when is your birthday???".  And my dad kept it up for the next 25 years. He never let me forget it. He usually got a sneer and a "whatever" from me when he brought it up. Even when I was 30. He loved it anyway.

Of course, it was only two days. I mean, it's not like it was two years or anything crazy. But, people! It changed my zodiac sign! I used to be a Cancer and suddenly I was a Gemini.  Talk about a life changing event, having to change zodiac signs. I'm still not over it.