I've just heard my adult son inviting his younger brother to his birthday celebratory lunch in the city. They are fairly close in age but wildly different in personalities. I am wondering if I am being too silly and overthinking it. Several years ago we were driving our older son home (car troubles). I said "guess what it's my birthday today". Without looking up from his phone in the back seat he said "surely you don't STILL celebrate your birthday!?!?. I said yes I do! This was the first time he responded this way. Until a few years back we always celebrated each of the boys days with a lunch or a dinner, depending when they could fit it into their schedules. That came to an abrupt stop when the older became too busy or as he told us later he celebrated it with friends. And of course that's understandable, we always anticipated that, we just wanted to have a slice of birthday cake, some pressies and give him some hugs. When he suggested he come over a few days later we made preparations but he was a no show. However, he phoned us later and asked what gifts we had for him. My husband was furious, I was disappointed In the case of our younger son,. He lets us take the lead on the day, we buy a cake and a few pressies and he seems to enjoy that, then he goes off with his mates. I don't know, I feel kind of sad now when birthdays roll around. I can't recall the last time they said happy birthday to me, without a prompt. It's like I don't have a birthday at all.