It’s the day you have been waiting for since you turned 18. Your 21st birthday. On the eve of your big day, you and your friends get dressed up and prepare yourself for the big celebration that is about to happen.
1. 10 o’clock hits and the drinks are being poured.
Nothing too crazy, of course. You have to pace yourself.
2. Then it’s 11 o’clock.
Things start to get a little more interesting.
3. All of the sudden it is 11:59 p.m. The countdown begins.
4. Finally, midnight strikes and the champagne is popped.
You are finally 21. No more sitting at home while your legal friends are out partying at the bars. No more texting everyone and their mom to see if there is a house party that you can go to. You are legal. The world - including all of the bars in it - is your oyster.
5. It’s my birthday.
A simple, but extremely real thought that pops into your mind. Before midnight, it was just another party. Now, this party has a purpose. For me, this dazzling thought hit as I watched the cork of my first bottle of champagne ricochet off of the kitchen cabinet and into my friend's lap. It is my birthday. I am twenty-one.
6. To the bars!
7. Wow, that was 100 percent legal!
That was the first thought that passed through my head as the bartender handed me back my ID and I bought my first legal drink.
8. Yep. It’s definitely a Tuesday.
After all of the excitement of confidently getting into the bar, I took a look around the place and counted seven, yep you read that right, a total of seven people in the bar. But then again, who really cares? It’s my birthday!
9. When did people get so nice?
Even though the bar is not hopping with tons of people, someone still buys you a birthday shot.
10. Before you know it, it is time to go home and go to bed.
You have to make sure you get enough sleep so you are prepared for the fun-filled day ahead of you!
11. IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!
You can't remember the last time you were this excited to wake up.
12. You some slight self loathing.
Considering the night you had, you probably don't feel the best. Whether you end up getting sick or not, you are probably not on the best terms with yourself.
13. Pep talk it out.
It may or may not be necessary to hype away your hangover. But if it is, that's okay! A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!
14. You Leave the house feeling like the queen herself.
After all, you have to look fabulous for your special day.
15. You always answer with the same response when people ask you if you're doing anything fun on your big day.
16. You start to feel like you might actually be an adult.
17. But that can start tomorrow because it’s your 21st birthday.
18. You and your friends hit the town for another night of celebration.
19. Once again, people are extremely giving.
20. At the end of the night, you have the best idea of your life.
21. You wake up the next morning with a hangover of epic proportions.
As my grandmother once said to me, "You danced all night, but now its time to pay the fiddler."
