Who Remembers Your Birthday?

This year, I decided to do a little experiment. I didn’t post anything about my birthday or my son' s on social media. No countdowns, no stories, no posts, only the late post one. I wanted to see who would remember on their own, without being reminded by an app or an algorithm.

The result? It was very clear: only a few people actually remembered.

At first, I won’t lie, it stung a little. But then I realized something important. These few people who reached out, called, messaged, or simply remembered without any prompts… they are the ones who truly keep me in their hearts. Not because a notification told them to, but because they genuinely care.

It’s a quiet reminder of how much we’ve come to depend on social media for connection. But it also helped me see the beauty in real, intentional relationships—the kind that don’t need a post or a story to show up.

***

So to those few who remembered: thank you. You made my day feel meaningful. And to anyone reading this, maybe take a moment today to reach out to someone you care about—without waiting for a reminder. That simple gesture might mean more than you realize. 💛

Ps: I remember seeing a birthday calendar hanging in the toilet at my sister’s place in the Netherlands. It listed the birthdays of everyone she holds dear—written by hand, month by month. No digital reminders, no push notifications. Just something simple and thoughtful that helps her remember, even during her busiest days. A quiet little reminder that genuine care doesn’t need an algorithm.