Ever since I was little, my favorite fairytale was Peter Pan. I wasn't really into princess movies and there was something about the adventure in Peter Pan that just made me excited. As I got older, the story of Peter Pan became even more special to me, but in a different way. I would secretly hope that Peter Pan would take me away to Neverland so I could run away from all of my responsibilities and obligations. I soon began to realize that wasn't going to happen, and that unlike Peter Pan, I would have to face adulthood head on. The more I thought about it, the more I began to ask the question: Why did Wendy leave Neverland?

Wendy was on the verge of becoming a young woman. She could sense the change coming and she knew she would be forced to grow up. This scared her, as it did all of us. She found comfort in Peter and Neverland. But when all the sword fighting, flying, and dancing was over, she wanted to go back. Why did she want to go back? Peter Pan was a charming, cool, adventurous friend, but he couldn't help Wendy face her problem. Peter Pan lacked the one thing Wendy was looking forward to: a future.

Peter lives in the present. He doesn't have to think about tomorrow because in his world, there are no worries. He doesn't stress about anything because there is nothing else he can do. Wendy comes along and shows him that you don't have to stop having fun because you have to grow up, but she also teaches him a few other lessons. She teaches him how to love and how to live. Peter is kind of a selfish person who is unable to love. He ran away from home thinking only of himself and he can't love Wendy. Wendy wants to connect with Peter but he doesn't know how to feel love or any deep emotions. Peter also doesn't know how to live. Yes, he is adventurous but he doesn't want to grow up. This became a problem for Wendy.

So when I think about Peter Pan and think about why Wendy left Neverland I used to think she was crazy. She had it all right there. But as I got older I realized she left because she had everything she could have wanted right at home. She had a family who loved her and she had a future ahead of her. She was going to live a full and happy life. And now I realize that's what growing up is. Growing up doesn't mean paying bills and getting a job, it means that you recognize what is important in life and you make sure you hold on to it. When you are young, eating ice cream for breakfast means just as much as getting a hug from your parents, but when you are older you know what is most important. At the end, even Peter realizes that living Wendy's life would be a pretty amazing adventure. So when you think adulthood is boring or hard, think about Neverland. Think about being away from everyone you love forever. Think about never being able to accomplish your dreams. Is this what you want? Because never is an awfully long time.