Congratulations!

You are almost there! The light at the end of the childhood tunnel, finally, age 21. It's a little weird, isn't it? All this time you have been waiting impatiently and wishing. Saying over and over that you "can't wait" and it is finally here.

Do you think you could have waited? I think so. I bet I could have waited.

Older adults always say that you are so lucky, that this is the best time of your life. But for you, it seems like you can't wait to grow up.

In retrospect, you have accomplished quite a bit in the past two decades. You have woken up every day and lived it. That is an accomplishment within itself considering you didn't make the decision to enter this world.

You completed elementary, middle and high school even after all the days you thought you couldn't. You got over the high school relationships that you thought were going to last forever. You passed chemistry, physics, and trigonometry when you were positive you were going to fail.

You suffered three years of trying to learn a foreign language. You successfully went through the college application process and luckily you got into everywhere you applied. You survived all three proms (and the dress shopping) along with the uncomfortable heels. You passed your permit and license test. You graduated without failing a class and walked across that stage with a shining smile.

You have been the best friend, daughter, co-worker and peer that you can be. You managed to only have one claim filed against your insurance. Flew through the "Junior Operator License" period without one ticket. You have had a total of nine jobs and were not fired from one. You completed three internships and pushed yourself to learn every day.

You got to bask in the feeling of adrenaline while getting into all of the fun bars with your friends. You got to be silly and do karaoke in front of strangers while in Germany. You had the pleasure of exploring five European countries with your best friend.

You have had two cars. Raised two pets. Survived your grandmother moving in. Stomached freshman college orientation and most of all, freshman year (even the freshman 15, unfortunately).

You made it through the past twenty years with no siblings and always set the standard. You set goals for yourself. You got to see yourself develop into the beautiful adult that you are. You changed physically and mentally for the better. You've learned what it means to have peace of mind.

You've gone to fun concerts and you know what it means to have a true friendship. You know your parents as people, not just as your parents. You have faced plenty of your own obstacles and you have still made it this far.

And the best part is, for you, it really is just beginning. As twenty-one approaches, realize that it signifies much more than being able to purchase alcohol in the United States. It is a landmark and a turning point in our lives where you can reflect on the progress that you've made and decide where you can make changes and improve. You can decide what you want out of life. You can finally stop waiting to become an adult and embrace the fact that you are one, and you have so many wonderful experiences ahead.

You have accomplished so much. Keep going, because the best is yet to come.