Living with my grandfather is literally the best. Everyone knows that grandparents are typically more lenient versions of their parents. They enjoy buying you things and doing whatever they can for you. It's a win-win situation.
I ended up living with my grandma in Florida for awhile when I took a semester off of school. It was nice to leave the outskirts of Pittsburgh to move to the bustling beaches of St. Petersburg. Living with my grandma was pretty much like living with a diva.
My grandma is a high-maintenance woman who knows what she wants. I get all of my attitude and style from her. She used to work at a high-end salon and grew a passion for all things beauty. Moreover, she loves plastic surgery and looks like she's 40. She is the kind of woman who will never say no to any demand from her grandchildren.
Living with her was a fun rollercoaster. We would always explore the Tampa Bay area, go shopping, try new restaurants and stay up late to watch "The Golden Girls." She reminded me so much of my friends. She never acted like a stereotypical old lady. She wanted to be "fun like me."
Living with my grandma was a blast. When I got ready to leave for college, I knew I would miss her wacky, crude humor. I also knew I'd miss her ridiculous amounts of homemade baked goods. She's a 21-year-old trapped in an older body.
After I moved out of my grandma's home, I moved in with my grandpa in Akron, Ohio.
Life with my grandpa is awesome. It's like having a bachelor pad, but your roommate is a lot older. My grandpa allows me to have the freedom I wish I had with my parents. I can have anyone over, at any time, and for however long I want to keep them here. It feels like I just have a really chill roommate who also happens to be my Mom's dad.
Another cool thing about living with my grandpa is that I get to learn so much about the past. Being that I was born in 1994, I missed out on some cool times like the '60s. I love hearing him explain to me stories about the past. He knows how far the world has come. He's experienced so much more than me. With all of this experience, I indulge myself in the information and gain a better understanding of the past and present.
Sometimes, I feel like living with my grandpa is like living a real-world "Rick and Morty" episode. I never have a boring day. My grandpa has become my best friend. I mean, he's such a cool guy with an amazing sense of humor. Funny thing is that he's a pastor, too. Just the other day we went on a drive, and he shouted at someone who cut him off to, "Go to hell," Maybe my youth is rubbing off on him, too.
I've never been happier since I've moved in with my grandpa. He helps me in all aspects of my life. He's always game to give advice. He's always there to listen to my every thought and tell me which ones are good and which ones are bad. He's like one of those secret ninja masters in the mountains, and I'm his apprentice. I learn so much from him, and he makes my life exciting. On another note, learn to spend time with your grandparents. I used to think it was a chore to spend time with family. Now, I actually enjoy it.
Not many people get the chance to live with their grandparents. I feel extremely blessed to have lived with both. They are the two people who have helped me shape my early 20s. I've also learned so much from both of them. We take our grandparents for granted. They are more than people we see every Sunday. They were our age once; they know how to have fun. I'm just happy they have shown me so many things. I'm also happy that I have shown them some youth culture.
