As children, we crave to grow up and be treated as an adult. We look at those who have their license, a car, an apartment or a career with envy. We roll our eyes whenever parents tell us what to do, as though we have all the answers already. High school graduation is looked at as a stepping stone to adulthood. College brings many more responsibilities. You're 18 on your own in a dorm, going to get medicine when you get sick and setting multiple alarms to ensure that you wake up for that early class. You can vote and enlist in the armed forces, but are you really an adult? You seem to think so when your mom is reminding you to make your bed or do the dishes, but what qualifies you as one? Most of us do not pay bills yet or work a full-time job. We do not have nearly as many obligations, so why are we in such a rush to be classified as an adult?

I have Pinterest boards dedicated to being an adult, with ideas for my future apartment and house, cute DIYs for my kids someday, even for my wedding. I see things I like, even though I am nowhere near ready for any of that. I’m constantly researching future schools, internships and new places to go. Sometimes I wish I could fast forward to the point where I have a well-paying job where I get to do what I love. They say college is the best time of your life, but I don't want it to be. Don't get me wrong, college is a blast. Having friends down the hall, no curfew and classes that enthrall me — what more could I want? I want to experience taking care of myself and would love to earn higher than minimum wage. I want to decorate my entire apartment, not just my bedroom.

However, I learned that I can wait. Being home for the summer has reminded me how much my mom does for me. When I get home from work, and dinner is waiting for me, I am so thankful. I won't get that living on my own. Eventually, I'll be the one cooking and paying bills. Until then, I am OK with being a teenager, since that is exactly what I am. I won't be able to spend my Tuesday off watching old Disney movies and eating ice cream forever, so I should enjoy it while I can. I get to watch my brother grow up and come home from school, excited to tell me about what he learned today. I get to wake up to the smell of chocolate chip pancakes. I get to put money away for my future while I live in the present. One day, I will be an adult, and I'm sure I'll be wishing I was 18 again.