Why Is My Younger Brother’s Birthday Before Mine?

Sep 20, 2025

When you were growing up, was there ever something you just could not wrap your head around?

Here’s my story…

Today is my brother, Corey’s, birthday.

Corey is 3 years younger than I am.
My birthday is 5 days after Corey’s.

I was 3 years old when my Mom and Dad came home with a baby. They tried to pass him off as being my birthdate present… and it worked for a while.

Years later, I asked if they could take him back and get a refund. But all they did was laugh.

For many years I was upset when his birthday came around because I was the oldest… my birthday was supposed to be first!

Mom and Dad would calmly explain that his birthday was not before mine. Invisible smoke spewed from my head as I focused on the audacity of my Parents celebrating his birthday before mine.

I don’t remember how old I was when I finally figured it out. But I do remember the light-bulb moment and feeling ashamed that I made such a big deal out of it every year.

Mom and Dad have passed away but, through the years, I often asked Mom and Dad to reconsider the refund - especially when Corey pulled one of his infamous stunts that left the family shaking their heads in disbelief.

I suppose it was good they didn’t return him - but asking, in jest, added humor to our lives.