As I stood in the middle of Fred's Bar and watched the clock strike midnight, I reveled in the feeling of finally turning 21. Or at least that's how I somewhat remember it. There is such a stereotype associated with turning 21— you're legal, you're an adult, you can buy and drink as much alcohol as you want and you can go to the casino! While it comes with a little bit of pressure to make that milestone birthday so monumental, I think I began my 21st year alive in the best way I knew how: surrounded by family and friends in my favorite bar, tequila shot in hand. I've also learned a few things in my little time on Earth.

1. Mixing alcohol seems harmless at the time, but it never ends well.

2. I can take shots of tequila like a champ, but vodka doesn’t go down as well.

3. Toast makes good drunk food when you come home (thanks, Ashley).

4. Champagne will always my favorite drink and my worst hangover.

5. On that note, champagne also makes me say everything on my mind, particularly embarrassing things.

6. MIPs suck, and I feel #blessed to never have to worry about that again.

7. I am so lucky to have such amazing family and friends that spent a night celebrating with me, regardless of other plans they had.

8. No matter how basic it is, Mexican food is always a good idea before going out.

9. I range from either taking no pictures when I go out or taking an obnoxious amount. There is no middle ground.

10. I will forever be grateful that my birthday falls during King Cake season.

11. I dance just like my mother.

12. Having a little sister in college means she turns 21 when you turn 21, and my birthday became as much of a celebration for her as it was for me.

13. God had me in mind when he decided to place my 21st birthday on a Friday

14. As much as I hate when people call me a "grandma," I've come to accept that I don't usually stay out past 12:30. And I'm okay with that because I like my sleep.

15. I'm finally a "legal adult," and I still have no idea what I want to do with my life.

16. I also am still wondering if I'll ever not owe money back to my parents.

17. It should be considered a successful birthday if you don't lose anything throughout the night.

18. I've never been so happy to wake up to Advil and breakfast from my roomies the next morning.

19. Make sure you have a caretaker for the night or at least a safe ride back home.

20. Recounting the events of the night before is sometimes more fun than the actual night.

Many people told me that my 21st birthday gets celebrated all year long. If its anything like the first day, then I've got a lot of fun times to look forward to. Besides, all birthdays are kind of downhill from here.

I feel like I waited to turn 21 for quite some time. Now that it's here, I couldn't be more thankful for great friends, great gifts, and an even greater night.