*DISCLAIMER* In typical Herm's House fashion we had some technical difficulties with sound for this episode but it was too good not to share. Thanks for supporting us through our flaws. 

Birthdays aren’t always about cake, candles, and celebration—sometimes they bring old baggage, unspoken expectations, and a deep desire to feel seen.

In this episode of Herm’s House, Kristin and Herm unpack the emotional weight birthdays can carry, especially when childhood experiences quietly shape how we show up as adults. What starts as a conversation about birthday stress turns into an honest reflection on emotional labor, gift-giving misunderstandings, and the pressure many partners feel to “get it right.”

Herm opens up about why birthdays can feel overwhelming—not because of extravagance, but because of past moments where he didn’t feel prioritized. Kristin shares his perspective on intention versus impact, and together they explore how communication (not perfection) is what actually makes someone feel valued.

This episode is a reminder that it’s rarely about the cake—it’s about feeling understood, appreciated, and chosen.

✨ Episode Highlights

• Why birthdays can trigger more emotions than we expect
• The deeper meaning behind gifts (yes, even gift cards 😅)
• How childhood celebrations shape adult expectations
• The mental load of planning and wanting someone to feel seen
• Learning to communicate needs instead of carrying them silently

🔊 Sound Bites

• “It’s not about the gift—it’s about what it represents.”
• “Birthdays bring up old feelings you didn’t realize were still there.”
• “Feeling seen matters more than doing it perfectly.”

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome back to Herm’s House

02:10 – Birthday expectations & stress

07:45 – The gift card story

15:30 – Emotional labor & planning pressure

23:40 – Childhood birthdays & adult reactions

32:15 – Communication over perfection

41:20 – Final reflections

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