To be 100% honest, the idea of a "half-birthday" is pure stupidity.
The day of one's birth should be a time of celebration, whether it's your 13th, 18th, 21st, or 99th. There's something special about revolving around the sun again, reminiscing another year of life, and praying for another year of blessings. 365 days is worth rejoicing; we celebrate Christmas to honor the birth of Jesus. The third January of every year is commended because it is near Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Have you ever gotten a vacation or received a day free of classes to celebrate someone's... half-birthday?
Absolutely not.
Yet, I can vividly remember anticipating March 11th since I was a toddler. Is the 11th day of the 3rd month the day of my birth? No. It's actually exactly 6 months following my actual birthday, September 11th. I wouldn't say that I was an attention-seeking child, but I did adore being celebrated. The moment I realized that March 11th was the half-way point of becoming the next age, I absolutely treasured the date.
On my 11th half-birthday (rather, my 11.5th birthday), I received the newest iPod touch as a present from my mom. Throughout middle school, I encouraged my friends to bring me gifts on that day. My guilty conscious creeps up on me as I type this, because one of my closest friends growing up had his real birthday on March 11th, but I still insisted that the day was special for me, too.
I turn 19.5 today, and although I stopped celebrating half-birthdays many, many years ago (within reason), this year is a little different. I am only 6 months away from turning 20-years-old. I am absolutely terrified. I can't imagine not being a teenager anymore. Being a teen means finding myself, making mistakes, and having an excuse as to why my life isn't together, yet. How can I, the silly, energetic, wild, "extra," goofy Macy, suddenly have to grow up and figure out what the hell I'm doing?
It's easy to wish for the future. When I'm studying for my political science exam or creating weekly videos for my French class, it's so simple to wish for life after college graduation so I don't have to "waste my time" with "fruitless assignments" anymore. But turning 19.5 is a wakeup call. I'm literally about to start my life. Many complain about being a teenager (I don't know how many times I've wished to "hurry up and turn 21"), but these are the last 6 months that I have to be a kid.
When I think of someone who's 20-years-old, I immediately think of an adult. It's not that I don't think I'm ready; Baylor has provided me with so many resources to succeed, and I have been raised with sound morals and the trust that God has a great plan for me. However, the driven, fun, passionate, very-Macy me that I know today...I only can visualize her as a teen. I really don't know what I'll be like in my twenties, and that's a little scary.
Yes, half-birthdays are incredibly stupid. The one day that's exactly between your previous and future birthday truly means nothing to anyone except 11-year-old me. But this year, I'm going to embrace turning 19.5. This is a reminder for me to live in the moment and enjoy the feeling of being an irresponsible, foolish, and nonsensical teenager. Today marks 6 months until everything changes.
So, happy half-birthday to me. To be honest, maybe the idea of a "half-birthday" is only 99% stupid.
