Friend of 16 years forgot my birthday AIBU?

[Amibeingunr]

So my friend from school, we are still extremely close, meet up regularly, Xmas shopping, lunches and text every week forgot my birthday. I’m not expecting a card/present as we don’t do that but we do usually send a text acknowledging each other’s. Now we are both on Facebook and people sent wishes etc, and I saw on my newsfeed that she had liked a mutual friends photo the same day. I thought maybe she was busy and forgot so left it, fast forward a week she has text me just replying about casual things from my previous text, again no acknowledgment. I have not replied yet as I feel quite hurt.

I wouldn’t mind so much but when we did our usual Xmas shop in December she mentioned a gift she had bought a friend for her birthday and she has known her about the same amount of time as me.

Am I being pathetic or am I right to be hurt? Do I just reply and let it go, is life too short for this?

She isn’t just a casual friend we literally know each other inside out which is why I am so puzzled.

Does she normally remember? A one off I could understand and let go.

I would feel hurt by this. Has she got anything else going on that might explain it? I don't think a quick happy birthday message is too much to expect.

People always forget mine tbh, I don't have it on fb though so I have just accepted this as standard and moved on.

No she has nothing else going on at the mo as I’m the first one to know!! Her last text was extremely cheerful, saying how proud of my child she was, she usually always remembers, I cannot think of a time when she hasn’t. I’m gonna try put it to back of my mind and move on cos our friendship is worth more but it just stings a little. Wanted check if I was being pathetic.

Forgiveness is a sophisticated emotion. It takes work and is humbling. It's uncomfortable for many people.
I know it is easier to feel basic emotions like anger, but forgive your friend and treat yourself with love.
Resentment is like you drinking a poison and hoping others get sick...

If she treats you well every day, then this is what's important, surely? Not one day of the year. Maybe she isn't good at remembering dates - perhaps the other friend has a birthday on a date that she remembers for other reasons; or perhaps the friend reminded her in advance: if it's so important to you, maybe you should do the same. Maybe she doesn't place great importance to birthdays - does she normally make a fuss of hers? I don't think remembering a birthday is a strong indication of how much one cares. For that matter, acknowledging a birthday isn't strong evidence that someone does care: someone may do so out of convention or because they enjoy special occasions and then ignore you for the rest of the year. Don't throw away a good friendship over one day; next time you might give her some sort of reminder in advance, as I've said,

I forgot my best friend's birthday once. It was a one off, and I had been distracted by my elderly grandfather coming to visit. I felt awful but it was a genuine mistake.

She’s proud of your child for some achievement or other. She’s clearly a thoughtful friend. Don’t ignore her text.

Yanbu, it is hurtful, due to my birth date I experience this every year.

Forget it. Can you honestly say you’ve never forgotten anything? Or intended to send a text and it slipped your mind?

Yes it would sting but you have to let it go now