This Saturday is my 21st birthday, and I'm pretty sure that I'm supposed to be super excited about it.
I'm not.
Yes, I have seen plenty of my good friends turn 21, looked at their Facebook pictures of them out at local bars and I've even felt a little left out at times. But now that it's actually my turn to cross over into the land of legal alcohol consumption, I can't help but look at it as just another birthday, and here's why.
1. I no longer have an excuse to stay home when people invite me out.
2. I don't even really like to drink.
3. Well OK, wine is an exception.
4. ...a major exception.
5. Let's be honest, we've all been drinking since sophomore year of high school anyway.
6. I can't even begin to think of all the 'old friends' I'll see when I go out.
7. My dad will probably ask me to pick up a six pack for him on the way to his house now.
8. I want real presents for my birthday, not just alcohol from everyone.
9. Am I like, supposed to go out every weekend now?
10. ...that seems like a lot of work.
11. There will be ugly, sweaty photos of me on Facebook.
12. Now going out to dinner will be $6.50 more expensive.
13. And worst of all, I'm actually another year older.
However, it will be fun to finally be able to go downtown with my friends, even if my main motivation isn't to get hammered. And a nice glass of cabernet will go really well with some pasta next time I'm at dinner. So even though I'm not exploding with excitement at this supposedly super-important birthday, I'm still looking forward to the new experiences the year will bring.