Here are the things that have gone into making my 36th birthday the best birthday ever:

1. Declare it my “birthday week” for at least 6 days leading up to the actual day.
2. Ride a roller coaster.
3. Go to a zoo.
4. Have someone dedicate “Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi in honor of the said birthday week at a piano bar. 
5. Watch fireworks.  Pretend they are in my honor.
6. Laugh really, really hard with friends.

I’m not sure next year will top this one, but I will do my best to try.