Amazing Axolotls & Birthday Traditions

 Amazing Axolotls & Birthday Traditions 🦎🎂

There’s a new exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium, and somehow it feels like it belongs in our story.

For years, the aquarium has been our birthday tradition. My kid and I. Walking past the seal and sea lion tanks, always stopping longest at the otters — my absolute favourites. Especially Señor Cinco. Our brave rescue boy. Shot, blind, and still full of life. We love him so much.

We’ve only missed a couple birthdays in all these years. Now my kid is turning 24, and I can hardly believe how fast time has moved.

I still remember when the Amazon exhibit had butterflies. They would land right on us, like tiny blessings. We stood so still, barely breathing, hoping they wouldn’t fly away.

One year we touched stingrays. Another year, my kid went straight for the slimy things — sea cucumbers, of course — laughing while I pretended not to be brave enough. Some traditions are about courage. Some are about slime.

Now the aquarium has a new permanent exhibit: Amazing Axolotls. With their feathery gills, gentle smiles, and magical ability to regenerate, they feel like little reminders that healing is possible.

The exhibit also honours their roots in Mexico, which makes it even more special to me.

I still have a tiny axolotl toy my kid once bought me at the aquarium. It sits quietly, holding years of love inside something small.

I can already picture us there again. Pointing. Laughing. Remembering. Making one more memory in a place that has held so many of ours.

Some traditions don’t disappear.
They grow with us. 🩵🦎🦦