A grand sweet 16 complete with sparkle and glamor is everything a teenage girl could ever dream of in the modern 21st century.
Relationships, memories and the importance of true real events fade away and are cast into the shadows as the overcast of latest fashions, products and cars take over. An event for family and friends shifts completely into a show and tell of money and gifts, supposedly making the recipient happy. While materialistic goods may give temporary pleasure, the most unforgettable experiences come with the moments with people and the ones you love, not the items you receive.
My biggest milestone in life wasn’t a glamorous ordeal, but it definitely was memorable. The day began bright and early with the AP Physics I Exam in the morning which was anything less than exciting. As I walked into school with a timid expression and a mindset of an inexperienced doe, I settled down in my seat and shared nervous looks and anxious glances.
The blows of physics were then forgotten afterward and my two close friends and I piled into the car to fill our stomach with sugary, sweet ice cream. We shared many laughs reflecting on our year together and the paramount of our time spent.
I said goodbye to a graduating friend who was moving to a new chapter in his life, and the bittersweet moment was heightened my growth in age as well. My heart was so full and in that moment I could not have asked for anything more. No present could surmount the utter joy I felt in the moment surrounded by loving parents and friends who shared my burdens through school.
This birthday, I didn’t ask for anything tangible. I asked for memories guided by words and actions, not items. Having a small dinner with my parents, consuming a childish lunch of ice cream with friends and dozing off as the sunlight beams caressing my face on my patio reminded me of the most amazing, silver parts of life.
While a new car or bracelet may fill a void in social status, time is invaluable. The materialistic mentality of society may never be fixed however we can all be encouraged to spend time with the humans around us.