So I saw T today and the session was great. I left feeling good. However, I realized afterwards that she didn't say anything like "have a great birthday!" My birthday is in a few days and my next session with her is the day after. If she forgets to ask me how my birthday was-- if she makes no mention of it whatsoever-- I will be very hurt. We did not mention my upcoming birthday this session, however, I did meniton it last week. Last week I told her that I was not looking forward to it because I always get really excited about my birthday and then am disappointed when it doesn't live up to my expectations. I told her that my 3 best friends were all going to be out of town, so I had nothing planned for the day itself (though I did have plans for when they returned). T told me to make plans for the day itself and said we would talk about it next week-- next week was today, and neither of us brought it up. (I forgot too). However, I did make plans-- my other friends will be taking me out and I am looking forward to that. However, it means a lot to me that T remembers and acknowledges my birthday. I have no expectation that she will get me a card or do anything special; that's just not how she operates. However, I do have the expectation that she remember and say "happy birthday." Is my expectation unreasonable? If she forgets, should I tell her that her forgetting hurts my feelings? Because I see her as maternal and view my relationship with her as "corrective" for the parenting I did (and did not) have as a child, things like this make a big difference to me. I know my own family is not going to make me feel "special" on my birthday-- so I want T to make me feel that way. I know that isn't fair to her... however, I do think it's reasonable (given everything I've told her about my birthdays in the past) that she be sensitive and at least welcome me with a "Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great day." Is there anything I can do between now and then to minimize my risk of being hurt? I could see this causing a rupture and I really can't afford that right now!

Love & Hugs,
Scorpio