Husband of 23 years forgets 52-year-old wife's birthday, she amuses herself by seeing how long it'll last: "Now I can get him to deep clean the fridge"

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jul 3, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Welcome back people of the internet. If there's one thing that people love to make a fuss over, it's birthdays. Seriously, how are people still forgetting birthdays? Do these couples, spouses, or family members never communicate? I would think that the birthday would come up naturally at some point before the actual day. Why is there this weird sullen taboo around mentioning it? Don't the people involved have to plan what they're doing that day? Whatever reason people have for not bringing it up before the day is beyond me. 

Some of the best birthdays are the simplest. Just a simple dinner out with friends, family, or your spouse. Sometimes that's all that someone needs to be fulfilled, to be happy, and to feel like they're loved. In the story below, the protagonist is a simple woman. It's her birthday, but her husband and her son have forgotten. Instead of being upset, she treats it as a silly game. She sees the bright side of things, and doesn't sweat the small stuff. 

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  • 01

    AITAH For not reminding my husband of 23 years that today is my birthday?

    Tr
    via AnnaStills from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    ***Updates 1 and 2 below: *** **Update 3 below: My husband(M50) and kid have both forgotten that today is my(F52) birthday. I've been with
    via u/Ema630
  • 03
    them both all day, and nothing. In the 23 years we've been together, this is the first time my hubs has forgotten. Gotta admit, I'm equal parts hurt and amused.
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  • 04
    AITAH for not saying anything? I know if I wait until the day has passed, they will ask me why I didn't say anything. But I'm
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  • 05
    morbidly curious to see how long it takes for anyone to notice. I don't need much, just a Happy Birthday wish would be enough. I don't like parties or need gifts.
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  • 06
    So Reddit, how long should I let this play out? I do realize I'm allowing them to dig themselves into a deeper and deeper hole.
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  • 07
    My petty will absolutely use this to win every argument until I di, lol! They've got less than an hour and a half to remember.
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  • 08
    Update 1: They officially forgot my birthday. I'm going to wait to see how long it takes for them to remember. As it stands, I will get hubby to deep clean the fridge
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  • 09
    (the way he promised to do weeks ago) and kid to clean their room. If this goes on long enough, I won't have to clean for the entire month of July, lol!
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  • 10
    Update 2: Well, the cat is out of thr bag. Hubs tried to pick a fight with me for ignoring him and being distant last night.
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  • 11
    Apparently I'm a terrible actress, lol! I wasn't in the mood and I didn't want to be lectured at, so I asked him if he knew what the date was. He looked at me like I
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  • 12
    had two heads and said, "No." | just stared at him. He says, "It's June something." I ask "June what?" He looked soooo
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    HAPPY BIRTHDAY
    via Visakaruban Shanmugan's Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    confused until he Kevin McCallister'ed his face and says, "Your birthday!" And I say, "Was yesterday."
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  • 15
    He asked me why I didn't say anything, as predicted. I responded that I knew he would blame me and left the room. After
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    a looooong pause, he comes in contrite and apologetic announcing (as i predicted he would) that he is canceling his trip that he planned to go on
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    today. I told him he'll do no such thing as people are depending on him and we can do something next week if he wants. He was
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    really upset and it was late, so I'm saving getting my fridge cleaned for when he gets back.
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  • 19
    In the meantime, I've got laundry to get done. Thank you so much everyone for all the support and bday wishes! This was a fun way
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  • 20
    to spend my bday! I will update again probably next week to let you know how the story ends.
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  • 21
    Update 3: Quick update. Told my kid, they giggled and exclaimed, "OH no!" They checked their phone calendar and had my bday
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    Cheezburger Image 10523799296
    via pixelshot / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 23
    in there, lol! They've couldn't believe they mossed it. They reset it so an alarm will go off to alert them.
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  • 24
    Life is back to normal, all is well. I love my knuckleheads, they didn't forget on purpose. Mistakes happen, my feelings did get hurt a bit but I'm not angry. This thread made me laugh....thanks for the support and bday wishes!
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  • 25
    facinationstreet Take a shower, dress up and take yourself out to a nice dinner. When they ask, let
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    them know you are going out for your bday. And go without them. Treat yourself!
    via u/facinationstreet

Tags

family drama drama birthday family feud relationships husband lol love family reddit thread Reddit funny dating
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