They say there’s something magical about the number seven, but let’s take a moment to consider the curious charm of 33. It’s a number that doesn’t get enough credit, hanging out quietly in the middle of our numerical landscape. Yet, when you dig into it, 33 is anything but ordinary.

First off, 33 isn’t a prime number. Sorry, 33, you’ll never be as exclusive as your friends 2, 3, or 5. But here’s the kicker—33 is a sexy number. No, really, in the world of math, 33 is part of something called a “sexy prime pair” (yes, that’s a thing). Sexy primes are numbers that differ by six, so while 33 itself isn’t prime, it gets to cozy up next to 29. Talk about a fun fact to break out at your next trivia night!

But 33’s got more than sexy number status going for it. It’s steeped in symbolism and superstition. Just think of the phrase “33rd degree,” a reference that conjures images of secret societies and ancient rites.

And then there’s the pop culture allure—everything from the number of vertebrae in the human spine to the fact that 33 was the retired jersey number of basketball legend Larry Bird. It’s as if 33 quietly threads through our lives, showing up in places you wouldn’t expect, like a favorite song lyric that lingers in the back of your mind.

For me, 33 feels like the grown-up version of the number 3. A little wiser, a little more experienced, carrying the weight of its past but still showing up when it’s needed. So here’s to 33—unassuming, perhaps, but undoubtedly quirky and full of hidden depth. Just like the rest of us.