When you turn 21, you have a new found sense of freedom. You can now legally consume alcohol, making it the true start of your social life. You are now considered a true adult, opening the door for many opportunities. You are coming close to finishing college, whether you are a junior or senior, and have a great grasp on the world around you. Internships, co-ops, and your future career loom on you mind. Being 21 it's essentially when your life beings in so many ways. It is such an exciting and bittersweet time, you have the respect of friends and family and everyone starts to acknowledge all the potential you have for you future. Not to forget, pride and confidence are seen with all of you actions.

After your 21st birthday all other birthdays seem to just signify that you are getting older and maturing. Being 21 is the birth, the start of the adult era of your life. The next big birthdays include your 40th and 65th birthday showing you are "over the hill" and then of retirement age.

I turned 21 a few weeks ago and after the craziness of being able to go to bars and buy alcohol wore off, I realized that being 21 makes you feel a different way. You feel sophisticated, free, and passionate about what the future holds. It really hit me how close I am to graduating college and starting my career, when I went to renew my driver's license a couple days ago. The next time I have to renew it, will be in eight years, and by then my life will be drastically different in various amazing ways.

21 is a thrilling, overwhelming, and happy number. And everything that comes along with being 21 years of age is just as exciting. It is the start of the rest of your life. So if you are 21, cheers to being 21, and if not you'll get there soon enough!