GIRL SPENT 15 HRS COOKING FOR HER B’DAY PARTY, INVITED 16 “FRIENDS” BUT ONLY 1 SHOWED UP

I (21F) threw a birthday party and only a single friend (M22) showed up

The last time I celebrated my birthday was when I turned 18. The pandemic started right afterwards and I did not have many opportunities to celebrate, until this year I decided to unite my closest friends to throw a birthday party.

I talked to each of them and asked if they would like to participate on a brunch. They all agreed and confirmed that they would be showing up.

I spent about 15 hours cooking and 3 hours decorating my place for about 16 guests and when the day and time arrived, I simply waited for 3 or 4 hours and nobody, but this friend of mine, showed up…

I then sent a text in the WhatsApp group of my birthday and canceled the birthday party, since I was already waiting for a while and nobody else came.

I was crying my heart out and never thought that those things happened in real life. I literally felt like they were pranking me or something, so it was really harsh to let the reality sink in.

After I cancelled the party, my friends started to desperately text me and apologize. They all wanted to schedule to do something with me, but I simply don’t want to since they ruined my birthday.

I don’t even know how to react or what to answer… any thoughts?

Netizens’ comments

1. So sorry that happened. Did anyone even give a valid reason for just bailing like that? That one friend who showed up is the real one. A true keeper. I think you should have a bday redo, and just the two of you go do something adventurous or new. Figure out some sort of experience you both would enjoy and go do it, then have cake at the end. Build a whole new memory around this bday that you can look back on with a smile. Also, happy belated birthday! Cheers to 21 years!
2. That’s so upsetting, I’m sorry it happened to you. I would probably cut the people that didn’t show up out of my life unless there was an emergency. Did anyone have a decent excuse?
   TBH, I don’t see these friends following through on planning something for your bday party when they couldn’t show up for a brunch where you did all the work/planning.