22
You know, twenty felt really old. Older than 21. At 20, you're not a teenager anymore. That's pretty big. By the year 2000, I was going to be married, have a job, a house, three kids and a cat. At the time, I didn't realize that at 20, I'd still be very much a college student, and very much too young for all of that. But 20 still felt old.
Twenty-one was like being a kid again. It's the last "cool" age to be, the last one you really look forward to. You have the chance to be the cooky college kid you always saw in the movies. You get to feel all grown-up when you order wine with dinner, but the waitress calls you "honey" when she asks for your ID.
Twenty-two, though, that's old. That's a real adult. At 22, you're graduating from college. You're getting a "real" job and starting your adult life. You're very much not a kid anymore. You have responsbilities and have to make life-altering decisions. You're a grown-up. I'm not sure I'm ready for that! I have no more birthdays to look forward to. I mean, at 25 I can rent a car. And then there are the milestones, which no one's particularly excited for.
This morning, I woke up early, and found "Happy Birthday" napkins taped EVERYWHERE. The mirror, the computer, the walls, everywhere. My grandparents came out because they'd forgotten to send my card, and they said I HAD to have it today. They also brought out three kinds of cookies: two chocolate chip (some turned out too flat for Grandma's taste, so she had to try again), and sugar cookies with the frosting separate as to leave the "happy birthday" imprinted on them visible.
Then I went to lunch with Tammy in Evanston. We have fond memories of singing in Northwestern University's Solo and Ensemble competition in high school. We wandered around a bit (cute town) and ate at a Mediterranean restaurant. It was yummy. Before we left, she had a bowl of ice cream with two and two candles in it. Heehee. So fun!!
Tonight, my family went out to celebrate The Birthdays. Three-fourths of us have birthdays within six days. Not counting the extended family and friends... I know about a dozen people with birthdays in this two-week span. We had steak and I got my wine and I was NOT carded, and that made me feel OLD. We came back and had ice cream cake. Yummmm.
And a post like this wouldn't be complete without mentioning again that I have the GREATEST friends. Seriously, I love all of you. All of the birthday wishes really made my day. And fitting, since tomorrow is Thanksgiving... the things I'm the most thankful for are the people in my life. You really make it all worthwhile. ::HUGS::