This day is a special one! It’s time for me to sit down and make a rather long-expected post. Today marks the birthday of two wonderful characters nestled within the pages of my favourite book, which is unsurprisingly The Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien—the sweet, caring and intelligent if not a bit eccentric Mad Bagginses of Bag End: Bilbo and Frodo.

Like last year, I’ve made a special hobbitish treat to celebrate the day: a tasty lemon mint loaf that seems like the perfect thing to have when you’re planning on having a normal spot of afternoon tea before a baker’s dozen of dwarves crash through your front door. That being said, I don’t anticipate any unexpected guests tonight; while I’d love to see Gandalf stop by for a cup of hot mint tea I don’t think I’d be so lucky. A shame, as I expect he’d make excellent company. Much better than a rowdy pack of dwarves constantly threatening to smash your plates. 

I love that scene.

This is the first year I’ve acknowledged the significance of this date to the world at large and not just those close to me, and I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to mention how much these characters mean to me, especially Frodo. I remember when I first read the Lord of the Rings books, entranced by the exciting adventures, but more than anything or anyone else drawn like a moth to flame by Frodo’s compelling struggles bearing the Ring, especially during, oft with only Sam and that little creep Gollum for company. (Stinker and Slinker, indeed!) It was a different view of a protagonist for me: not one of a hero who did great physical things and was ensnared in heavy action scenes, but one whose greatest trial lay in himself and his mind. That touched me greatly, as well as the fact that to this day him and Bilbo are possibly the only book protagonists I’ve read who never, during the course of four books, show any inclination towards having a love interest, which I also find rather refreshing. Frodo was also likely the start of my long-running obsession with angsty and traumatized characters that I expect will become more and more painfully obvious as this blog goes on. Cheers! Where would I be without them? I think my love of the Mad Bagginses speaks for itself.

Whatever you might find yourself doing today, I hope you spare a thought for these two beloved characters, even if they don’t mean quite as much to you as they do me. And if you were ever thinking about picking up a either the Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings (or both!) but haven’t gotten around to it, maybe you’ll take this as a sign. These characters are wonderful, and I’ve never regretted my decision to crack their pages open. 

Just don’t forget your pocket handkerchief—it might come in useful on a big adventure.