Let's make this birthday one to remember.

45 years old (Born on January 28, 1980)

Happy Birthday, Michael! May your day be filled with fewer deadlines and more headlines—preferably the kind that don't involve dodging bullets or angry generals. Your fearless reporting from Iraq to Rolling Stone has inspired us all; who knew investigative journalism could make military brass sweat so much?

Here's hoping this year brings you plenty of scoops without sleepless nights, BuzzFeed quizzes instead of battlefield briefings, and perhaps a Pulitzer-worthy exposé on why newsroom coffee always tastes suspiciously like jet fuel. Keep chasing truth (and humor) wherever it leads—you've certainly earned some cake today. Cheers to another groundbreaking year!