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Excitedly Saying Hello To My 21st Birthday

People need to stop telling me that being twenty-one isn't all that great.

Olivia Catherine Wargo

Apr 16, 2019

Boise State University

187

Excitedly Saying Hello To My 21st Birthday

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In just a few days, I am going to be twenty-one years old.

That's right. Twenty. One. Years. Old. FINALLY! It is a day that I have long been waiting for, one in which I know will be filled with shenanigans with friends and the making of memories—memories that I hope I will actually be able to remember.

One commonality I have noticed from almost turning 21-years-old is the immediate reaction I get from others who are already over the age of twenty-one. The number one thing I hear is "Being twenty one really isn't all that great." Huh. So, if your experience being twenty-one hasn't been all that exciting for you, that means my experience as a twenty-one one is going to be just as lame, right? WRONG!

I think people like to respond that way because they're entrenched in their own negativity from the problems of their daily life. I also think they may have held their expectations a tad too high – and I'll be clear, I don't think that my 21^st birthday is going to be a life-changing day where I finally discover my life destiny and bloom into a perfectly successful adult who isn't working three part-time jobs just to pay for bills. However, I am incredibly excited to be twenty-one for so many reasons, reasons such as:

1. I'll be able to go to 21+ concert venues
2. I can enjoy mimosas with brunch downtown on a summer morning
3. Buying myself wine for Wine Wednesday… and Wine Thursday… and Wine Friday….
4. Finally experiencing a karaoke bar
5. Summer baseball games and beers with my dad
6. Exploring the world of wine tasting
7. Toasting to my brother with champagne at his wedding
8. Margaritas with my mom at our favorite restaurant

And those are just a few reasons that I am excited to be turning 21. So for anyone else that is nearing their twenty first year of life, don't let anyone tell you to not be excited. You live in the moment, you take in the fact that you made it, you're about to legal, and there is no one that can stop you from having a great time, and ENJOYING it. And tell the people who tell you not to be excited that they should try to remember turning 21 too, it's a year to let me explore and learn more about myself, and I absolutely can't wait to celebrate my 21st with my incredible friends and family.

Cheers to twenty-one years.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Excitedly Saying Hello To My 21st Birthday

People need to stop telling me that being twenty-one isn't all that great.

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There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

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1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

Love hard, every day, and never be ashamed.

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