There are certain birthdays in every culture that just hold a special significance. Each one of these special ages comes with assured privileges. Whether it be your first birthday, turning the first double-digit age of 10, turning 13, turning 18 and eventually the glorious age of 21. Yes, becoming an official “teenager” or eventually an “adult” is exciting. However, especially in America, the most exciting age is turning 21. It is at this age that you can finally live your adult life without anyone smacking you on the hand, telling you what you may and may not order, especially to drink. As many dream of this age, it is when the time is coming closer and closer that it really begins to make an impact. This may feel like the “Christmas morning” of all ages.

Before:

1. You think about turning 21. All. The. Time.

2. You think about all the drinks you can order. *This one is especially difficult if you work at a place that serves alcohol once you turn 21.*

3. You think about where you can go once you turn 21.

4. You think about what you can WEAR to all the places you can go once you turn 21.

5. You think about all the places you'll no longer have to devise an in depth plan to go out to once you turn 21.

6. You count down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until you turn 21.

7. You start becoming nervous that turning 21 won't be as amazing as you think it will.

On your birthday:

8. You feel as if you have magical powers. You are like a wizard, except your wand is your ID and the spell is you can magically make alcohol appear in front of you without any problems.

9. You tell EVERYONE you just turned 21. It's like word vomit. You cannot stop it from happening. Do not even bother.

10. You start getting self-conscious about how excited you are about turning 21…do you look young? What if they think it's a fake because of how excited you are even when it's FINALLY NOT?

11. You decide not to care after a few drinks in.

12. You continue to tell EVERYONE it's your 21st birthday.

13. If you stop, chances are your friends are telling everyone that It's your 21st birthday.

After:

14. Hopefully you wake up with in your clothes from last night, foggy memory and a hangover. But you are 21, so you have a shield of happiness that can get you through any hangover.

15. You go out again. And again. And again.

16. Your shield eventually wears out, and you feel the wrath that is turning 21.

17. You realize being able to buy alcohol is great, but buying alcohol is expensive. Really, really expensive.

18. You then realize you spent enough money to make you sicker than your actual hangover.

19. You take a few days off because even the thought of alcohol makes you nauseous.

20. You start to feel really old, and miss being young enough to try to sneak into bars.

21. You get over it the next time you go out and can order yourself a responsible big girl drink.

Unfortunately, this is one of the last socially acceptable “happy ages,” so you must take advantage of it while you can. Welcome to the 21 club!