Dearest family*,
For twenty-two years I have kept this bottled inside. For years I have watched from the sidelines at the children's table, hoping that one day I will be invited to the adult table. I remember the year I turned eighteen and how hopeful I was to finally sit at the adult table.
After years of negotiating fights between toddlers, I became so excited to finally be a part of important family discussions such as politics, religion and the busy days at the office. While I am a still a college student, I believe that I have important input to bring into each conversation. However, I am still being used as a babysitter for all of the children in the family during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I thought that my years of picking up after my younger cousins would give me some sort of credit to go to the adult table. However, I believe that this has gone overlooked. While I know that you all love me, I still feel that my efforts have gone unnoticed. This year will be different. As an adult who pays my own bills, taxes and makes my own income I believe that I deserve a seat at the adult table.
As a curious family member that looks up to all of the adults in my family, I look forward to listening to all of your discussions. I want to hear all of the jokes that I hear from a distance at the children's table. I yearn to take part in a conversation that is not about Star Wars or The Emoji Movie, while these topics are incredibly controversial in the world of kids in our family. Please do me a favor and save me from these conversations that never seem to end.
I know that I am still young and naive, but I do believe that I can be insightful. I would love to discuss literature, music and I have a wide variety of Donald Trump jokes that I would love to share with you. I know you may not appreciate them, but it's the least I can do after you put me through twenty-two years of torture.
I hope that you reconsider the seating arrangements during the holidays this year.
Sincerely,
Your daughter who just wants to be considered an adult.
*I actually love sitting at the children's table. Star Wars discussions with my younger family members are actually the best. I cannot wait for the holidays this year!