I can’t help but think about a quote from The Simpsons Movie (which is a terrible movie that I’ve seen far too many times and still enjoy). Bart says “This is the worst day of my life” and his dad corrects him by saying “The worst day of your life so far”. While I could talk about how every bad moment is actually a not-so-bad moment in comparison to the next bad moment, that seems a bit depressing. So let’s try the exact opposite of that.

When I was 14, I thought the most perfect moment in my life was when I was at the park. At that age, any relationship is the end-all, be-all of your life. In the woods, amongst the entangled trees, it seemed like the logical place to be propositioned for my first kiss. I couldn’t go through with it because it felt odd to be asked.

I can’t help but think, at the time, my definition of romance and perfect were quite lenient.

When I was 15, I thought the most perfect moment in my life was when I was staring at an absurdly round Christmas tree in Princeton. It was my freshman year and, without having told my parents the entire truth about where I was going or whom I was going with, it seemed like the beautifully rebellious start to my high school career.

I can’t help but remember the horrendous smell of whatever cheese was in his sandwich that day.

When I was 15, I thought the most perfect moment in my like was outside our local movie theater – not the one with the nice seats, the other one – on the edge of the big star on the cement and under the bigger ones. It seemed like a perfectly spontaneous moment.

I can’t help but think, now, that it was more of a thievery than anything.

When I was 17, I thought the most perfect moment in my life was on a couch in the dark. If you ask me, this is what I consider to be my first kiss but, in reality, it wasn’t. At the time, it seemed perfect. The moment was 5 years in the making and, afterward, I did a little dance on the stairs.

I can’t help but look back at that moment as a precursor to what will prove to be years of self-doubts.

When I was 18, I thought the most perfect moment in my life was in a freshman dorm. You know how they tell you that you’ll meet people in college that will change your life? It seems that I turned from the person who hated to be asked for a kiss to someone who was practically begging.

I can’t help but look back at that moment and feel a bit selfish.

Now, I’m 20 and I have no idea what a perfect moment is. Perfect changes as I change and I have no idea what will happen in my life next and how it will change me or my perception of perfect. However, regardless of not knowing what is to come, odds are there are numerous more perfect moments to come. And knowing that helps counterbalance all the moments that were once perfect.

So whether the past moments are haunting you or making you cringe, may you have many more perfect moments in your future.