Every year on my birthday more and more people post a little note on my Facebook wall; some I know very well, some I only know through the digital world, and others I know from many years ago and the only way we speak are through quick posts and “likes” on photos.
Facebook has made it very easy to allow people to feel more loved and more popular.

So how important are those posts really? I asked a few friends for their thoughts. While they all say, “not really important, it’s no big deal”, they are always excited when they see that little red notification box on their Facebook app. Many check their Facebook all throughout the day on their special day to find out who is posting to their timeline, what people still take the time from high school, who from their childhood still cares, what new friends are nice enough to say a little something.

It’s funny how this little bit of noise on ones Facebook wall is sort of a validation of how important one is in the digital world. I know Facebook actually tells you when it’s someone’s birthday, most people rely on that now anyway. But it still feels nice.
Before Facebook I had the usual suspects who would call and wish me a happy day, some would text, and my group of buddies would take me out to dinner. Now, with everyone leading a busy, adult life, it is nice to have Facebook remind you when someone needs celebrating.

I have a friend {both on Facebook + off} who said he had all of these Facebook wishes on his birthday. He wanted to have a party, so he created an event and sent it out to all of his Facebook friends and only three showed up. So… What does that tell you? Facebook makes it easy to take the time to post a little love on a friend or acquaintances timeline, without going out of your way or taking time out of your day, but, looking at an event takes time and actually going takes more… Is he not loved because nobody went? No, that’s not the case. Before Facebook, we planned our own get-togethers and sent out invites or made phone calls. Part of the world still does that and people still need that. Because it’s so easy to wish anyone a happy birthday regardless of how well you know them, doesn’t mean you want to go spend a few hours celebrating them.

I love reading the posts to my timeline once a year. Sometimes I even find myself bumming out because some people didn’t say anything. Ha! Well, maybe they didn’t use Facebook that day, so chill! It is fun to see those post from people who write thoughtful things and from those people who I knew when I was a little girl. For that Facebook, I thank you. I still go the old fashioned route and contact my close friends and give a personal invite to a little celebration. After all, it would not be fun to invite all of my Facebook friends and have them not show, that would make for a sad birthday girl.