My husband and I are empty nesters, which means our pets have officially become our “kids.” One of those kids, our golden retriever ZZ, had his third birthday last week. Naturally, we couldn’t let the occasion pass without a proper celebration. I made goodie bags for his doggy friends at play care and baked cupcakes for the staff. I’m not kidding—we’re definitely a little kooky when it comes to our loved ones!

The whole thing reminded me of when our daughter was little, and we’d celebrate her birthday at school. Back then, you could still bake homemade treats and send them in. Her birthday tradition? Brownies. She adored them and requested them every year.

Of course, I’d oblige. Anything for my girl! I’d roll up my sleeves, determined to make a perfect batch. But there was one small problem: I’m not a baker. Cooking? Sure, I can whip up a mean meal. Baking? Not so much. Inevitably, year after year, I’d burn those brownies. But my daughter didn’t seem to mind. She’d take them to school anyway, smiling as she passed them out to her classmates.

When she came home, I’d eagerly ask, “So, how did the brownies go?” Her answer was always the same: “Well, Elliot liked them!”

And so it went. Every year, I’d burn the brownies. Every year, she’d take them in.

But then one year, as I was gearing up for my usual brownie-making struggle, my daughter stopped me and said, “Mom, you don’t have to make brownies this time. No one’s going to eat them since Elliot’s not in my class anymore!”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Here I thought I’d been showing her love by making those brownies, but really, she’d been the one showing me love—taking those charred treats to school just to make me happy.

Well, at least for ZZ’s birthday, I made cupcakes instead of brownies. Although I have to admit—I burned the bottoms. Too bad Elliot wasn’t there to eat them!

-Peni

P.S. Last week my husband also had a birthday. But in our house, it’s all about the dog! 🤣