Christmas Day Twice as Nice for Michigan Water Polo Pair
12/19/2018 3:25:00 PM | Water Polo, Features
For two University of Michigan Water Polo players, sophomore Kathy Rogers and freshman Erin Neustrom, there has always been an extra reason to celebrate when the holiday seasons rolls around as both were born on Dec. 25.
Sharing their birthday with Christmas Day has made each of their family traditions unique.
"My birthday was not necessarily forgotten about, but it was a much lesser event than Christmas was," said Rogers. "We would always do a birthday lunch for Christmas, so I would have a birthday cake and open cards, but the rest of the day was centered on Christmas."
Rogers, a native of New Forest, England, is one of four children. Her parents, Jill and Ted, would often take the family to the Alps in France to ski and relax during the holidays. If the family stayed in England, they would go on a family run together.
"I'm never excited for my birthday, but I am always excited for Christmas," said Rogers. "I've always got really excited for everyone else receiving presents even though it's my birthday. I like that I can still give presents."
However, Jill and Ted did not want their daughter to miss out, so they celebrate again on June 25.
"My mom always said the Queen of England has two birthdays, so I can too," said Rogers. "That's when we would do presents and I could have a birthday party. Just because Christmas was so hectic, my parents wanted me to feel like I had birthday celebrations because all my siblings did."
Neustrom and her family also split the day between her birthday and Christmas as her parents, Mark and Shelley, wanted Erin to have her special day, too. Â
"My parents call it 'Birthmas' instead of Christmas," said Neustrom. "In the morning, we celebrate Christmas from when I wake up until around 1 p.m. From then on, it is my birthday. I kind of like it, because I know I will always be with my family on my birthday."
The Neustrom family generally celebrates the holidays at home in Moraga, California, or in Colorado, where her uncle and brother now live. This year, they will be in Laguna Beach, California, for Christmas and her birthday.
"Going to Colorado was always fun, because I would get to go skiing on my birthday," said Neustrom. "At home, a lot of times our neighbors would come over to our house to have cake to make it feel more like my birthday."
Rogers was due to be born on Dec. 28, and arrived a few days early. Neustrom wasn't due until Jan. 29, but was born over a month early.
"My mom always said I wanted to get out for presents," said Neustrom.
The Wolverines have a tradition of singing "Happy Birthday" to each student-athlete in the team huddle after practice. Rogers and Neustrom will get the extra opportunity to separate their birthday from Christmas when they return to practice on Jan. 3. They will get to celebrate with another holiday birthday, as senior Delaney Cleveland was born on New Year's Day.
