As of next week, I will officially be the last of my friend group to be under 21. Over the course of the last year, I have watched all of my friends turn the big 21 and celebrate their newfound privilege to legally drink. Don’t get me wrong, I know there are more important things in life than drinking, but being the baby of the group causes you to miss out on a little bit. Unless every person in your friend group miraculously has the same birthday, there’s always going to be that one underage friend that you have to worry about when you want to go out on a Friday night. When you’re the last of your friends to turn 21, there are definitely some struggles that we all can relate to.
1. There's always a constant fear of getting into a bar.
Your friends say “don’t worry you’ll be fine, just come with us!” Outside you’re all calm and cool, but inside you’re having minor heart attacks.
2) When you actually do get into a bar.
You do a little victory dance to celebrate your accomplishment, but also try to remain cool, because that’s what 21 year olds do, right?
3) When your friends start making plans for a big city trip with bar hopping.
Don't worry about me guys, I've gotta catch up on my Netflix anyways.
4) When you can't go out with your bestie on her 21st birthday.
I've sadly watched all my friends turn 21 and departed the group after dinner time, wondering what fun times are being had.
5) When you're worried about the police raiding the bar.
My nights out have increasingly become less about having fun, and more about making elaborate escape plans for when the police come (and for the record, I've never actually needed to execute these plans).
6) You watch everyone's bar Snapchat story, depressed.
While everyone is out about on the town, I'm sitting in my room playing with the puppy filter.
7) You have an alter ego who lives in a different state.
Why am I all the way in Massachusetts when I live in California you ask? Great question.
8) You know some day you'll be proud to be the youngest friend in the group.
Your 21st birthday is really your last birthday where you are sad being the youngest friend in the group. After the 21st year, you get to mock your friends as they all get old before you do. So, while I still have a few more dry months to go before the big 2-1, I'll just stay here and celebrate my youth.
