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And then I turned 21

Although the hangover is still problematic a few days after the big 2-1, and the memories are spotted... I did have the best day of my entire life.

I was able to bring in this monumental day with just about every single person I care about, and that is something I will never be able to thank everyone enough for. Honestly, it truly was the best.

This is just the beginning of a new chapter- one where I don't have to be fearful of those darn Iowa City  police, and I can finally have a beer after a rough week, and treat my mom to a little glass of wine on a Friday night.

Without my friends and family, where would I be today? I wouldn't be who I am, I wouldn't have the drive and ambition in my life that I do today, and I definitely would not have made it through my 21st birthday without them.

This is an annoyingly sappy post, but here's something a little less sappy and a little more sloppy: I may or may not have slipped off my own party bus, been hoisted atop of some landlord's shoulders, cried at a restaurant because they didn't sing me happy birthday, and I may have worn a flannel shirt. These things may have happened, but really, who's to say? 21st birthday's are expected to be like this...if not, you're no fun and you probably still like Pokemon (no shame).

But with this small milestone of a birthday, I came to the realization that I am a mere 9 years away from being 30, 5 years until I have to pay for my own health insurance, and only 1.5 years left of this wonderful adventure of college. It hit me, much like my hangover, rather hard. I have had an incredible journey thus far, and I can only hope for what's to come- but shit, the years fly.

If I've learned one thing from this birthday (besides saying no to tequila), it's that life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. At every mile you'll encounter a new hurdle or challenge. But these challenges aren't there to slow you down or discourage the adventure, they're there to inspire you and push you to live for the best. Because in all honesty, life is too beautiful to wish the days away, and life is too beautiful not to celebrate it with your best friends and family everyday.
Here's to 21, and the rest of the wonderful years ahead!


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