There is a story with someone – it’s either Rav Avigdor Miller, zatsal, or Rav Avraham Pam, zatsal. One of his talmidim (we’ll call him Reuven) was engaged. Reuven was of course very excited and he called his friend Shimon to tell him. Shimon asked him when he’s getting married, and Reuven gave him the goyish date. Shimon immediately started giving him mussar, “how can you go by the goyish date?!!”
Reuven was really hurt by this. He then called his Rav (either Rav Avigdor Miller or Rav Avraham Pam) and told him that he was a chosson. His Rav was really excited and asked him when he’s getting married. He again gave the goyish date. The Rav got really excited and said, “Wow, that is also my anniversary! We will be celebrating our anniversaries on the same day”.
After that, Reuven always made sure to send his Rav a card on their mutual anniversary wishing him a happy anniversary and sending him a picture of his ever-growing family, bli ayin hara.
I think maybe the Rav was nifter shortly after the mutual anniversary one year. In any case, when Reuven went to be menachem avel his wife, she made a point of telling him how much the Rav enjoyed his cards and pictures every year.
I think that wishing someone a Happy new year might be slightly different since new year’s is actually a religious holiday, although most don’t realize that.
But even so, perhaps I owe you an apology, Joe Jake, for not acting in the footsteps of (Rav Avigdor Miller or Rav Avraham Pam) and instead giving a sarcastic response,
so it was very nice and thoughtful of you to wish me a happy new year (ok, it wasn’t personally me, but I was included), even though I don’t celebrate it.
And I wish everyone in the CR a happy and good new month!!!! (Teves)