I've grown up with most of my family in Nebraska, so it's fair to say I've been to countless family events. As a kid, I had no concept of age difference and could easily find people to bother and activities to keep me busy.
From ages 13 to 16, it was my turn for the overused jokes. "No boyfriends until you're thirty," (which it looks like I'm still on track for, congratulations Dad) or "You have your license? I better avoid Lincoln roads for a year!"
I then effortlessly glided through age seventeen, A.K.A. the year no one can cleverly mock, and now here I am at eighteen! In Nebraska...that legally means nothing, but to me, it means family reunions are finally getting good.
We're all accustomed to the age-old question "So, how's school going?" And for me, it's always been roughly the same answer. "Busy, math sucks, the food is horrible, theatre is fabulous, choir is great, blah blah blah." I pretty much exhausted every variation of that response that I could.
But times have changed. Now that I'm in college, I finally have classes that intrigue me and topics that I'm excited to talk about. I'm no longer living the monotonous routine of high school. I can give an update on my school life that isn't predictable, and for once I can look forward to the other-wise dreaded question. But my first response is still busy, don't let my excitement fool you.
I wouldn't necessarily say I went through the phase where I thought it was lame to hangout with my family, but there was definitely times where I chose friends over a family event. At the time I had a lot of fun, and I don't regret it. However, now that I'm older I see how hard it is to get everyone back together and will never take a reunion for granted again. I mean, I struggle with the idea of driving for two hours, so when family from a different state make it in, celebration is necessary.
Age gaps are barely noticeable when you aren't all in a different stage of life anymore. 12 and 17? That seems like decades apart. Eighteen and 23? Now we're talking. My sister and I are that exact amount apart, and although we are lucky and have always been best friends, it's undeniable that our bond is stronger than ever with us both being "adults." This applies to all of the cousins as well. I'm finally at an age where I understand the big kid jokes and I can shoot them right back. We all enjoy each others company and for the older ones it no longer feels like baby-sitting.
I never in a million years imagined myself playing Cards Against Humanity with my two older siblings and two of my older cousins because it is such a cringy game, especially with family. Well about two weeks ago we tried it out and I kid you not that was the most entertaining session of CAH I have every played. Young-me would have been crawling out of her skin. Old-me is living for this whole adult-thing.
So if you're in an awkward age-stage right now and don't even fit in with family, just hold on a little longer. It get's so much better.
