A PARTY

A. It is Lisa’s birthday. She is seven years old today, and her family and friends are at her birthday party. On the table is a birthday cake with seven candles, one for each year. People sing ‘Happy Birthday' to Lisa:

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Lisa!

Happy birthday to you!

When they finish singing, Lisa blows out the candles on the cake. Then everybody eats cake and ice cream. After that, Lisa opens her birthday cards and presents. Her family and friends give her toys and clothes for her birthday.

In the United States, people of all ages celebrate birthdays. But when an adult has a birthday, there are not a lot of candles on the birthday cake. Many Americans over the age of 30 don't like to talk about their age. Some people joke every year. “I’m 29 years old today.’' Perhaps they do not want to get any older.

B. Rosa and Luis are having a party, too. But it is not a birthday party. It is an anniversary party. Fifty years ago. Rosa and Luis got married. Today their family and friends are giving them a party. Everyone eats some cake and says “Happy Anniversary!” to Rosa and Luis. People also give cards and gifts to the anniversary couple.

Most married couples in the United States celebrate wedding anniversaries each year. Husbands and wives give flowers or gifts to each other. They often have a quiet dinner at home or at a restaurant. They usually don’t have a big party.

But the 25th and the 50th wedding anniversaries are special. People call the 25th the “silver anniversary" and the 50th the “golden anniversary.” These anniversaries mark the milestones of a happy and lasting relationship between married couples. Rosa and Luis are happy to be together for their golden anniversary.