Nine observations about nine:

It’s my favorite number, squared.

It’s the number of innings in my favorite sport.

It’s the number of months (approximately) a baby gestates.

It’s the number of lives a cat enjoys.

It’s the number of squares in a game of tic-tac-toe.

It’s the number of planets I grew up with (sorry, Pluto, we miss you).

It’s an expression — dressed to the nines! — for looking fabulous, for going the distance — the whole 9 yards — and, if you’re on cloud nine, you might feel as I do today, celebrating my firstborn’s ninth year. Happy birthday, Ben!