I had a birthday not too long ago. I turned 27. I had a harder time with this one because I’ve officially entered my “late twenties.” When I was 26, I was still considered in my “mid-twenties,” but once you enter your “late twenties” as a single LDS woman, people start writing you off.

This was confirmed one day last March when I realized nobody had called me for the last 3 days—no friends, no family, no one. As I sat there and looked at my lifeless phone I thought, “is this the beginning of the end? Had I reached that moment when singles in their late 20s fall off the radar and are forever lost and forgotten?”

Well, I told my dad that the next day that no one loves me anymore, he sent the word out for people to call me. I then get a call from my brother Troy the next day, Thursday, March 28, wishing me a “Happy Birthday.” After a moment of confusion, and I realized my dad must have said something to my family. I told Troy thanks but to save it for another couple months: my birthday is May 28.

That evening I also received an email from my brother Brandon in California who wished me a happy birthday and asked how I was doing. After I rolled my eyes I emailed back, “I’m doing good, but I’ll be doing better in 2 months when it’s ACTUALLY my birthday.”

Even though Brandon, Troy, and Dad don’t know when my birthday is, it makes me feel a little better that my family comes through with “it’s-so-and-so’s-birthday” text messaged across the Badger family network.

When my birthday did finally come my friends took me golfing and whipped up some homemade strawberry shortcake.

**So if you’re dating Jenny, just know she likes golf and strawberry shortcake, and she now doesn’t like birthdays.

About a month ago, my dad, my brother Chris, and I joined the Heber Valley Gun Club. Not only do we love saying we’re members of the HVGC, but also love shooting trap. We’re excited to make this a new category in the line of Badger Family Championships. Badgers love to compete—especially against each other. Below is a list of the current Badger Championships and their respective champions.

• Golf - Andrew (?)
• Ski Racing - Probably Chris
• Free Throw Shoot Out - Dad
• Ping Pong - Jenny
• Tennis - Brandon 
• Trap Shooting - Chris
• Boxing - ?

Once a Badger wins a championship and claims a title, it is difficult to challenge that Badger again. The champion Badger knows that if s/he plays again, s/he could possibly lose. But if s/he doesn’t ever play again, s/he will always be known as a winner, having never lost a competition. But remember Badgers are competitive, and with the right taunting , you might be able to lure them back into a match, if no reason other than to shut you up.

**So if you’re ever thinking about dating Jenny, you’d better start training now. Badgers are winners. Holding a Badger Family Championship title will be a critical factor in your long-term sustainability.