Let's make this birthday one to remember.

44 years old (Born on March 21, 1980)

Happy Birthday, Anna Mickelson! May your day be filled with more joy than the moment you crossed that finish line in Beijing 2008. We hope your celebrations today are smoother than rowing through calm waters and sweeter than Olympic victory itself.

Your gold medal performance in the Women's Eights event remains legendary—proof that teamwork makes dreams work (and also proof you're really good at paddling fast). Here's to another year of laughter, strength, and success both on land and water. Keep making waves wherever life takes you next; just remember: cake calories don't count for Olympians!