A big happy 20th to my best friend, Maddie, first of all, whose birthday got me thinking about this new era all of our friends are entering pretty soon. Our twenties are glorified as an era of freedom and independence, shown on the big screen as girls roaming big cities with their friends, falling in love with new and exciting places, and discovering that not all who come into our lives have a place in our hearts.

Though I know my twenties won't exactly be like what you see in "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" or "The Hills," I have a pretty good idea of what I'd at least like them to be like. I want my twenties to be filled with adventure. I want to travel both with friends and alone, because sometimes that's when you make the best discoveries. I want to make new friendships, cherish the old ones, and let go of ones that weren't meant to be. I want to laugh at least once every day, and I want to speak up for what I want. I'll remember that there is excitement in uncertainty and intelligence, and that spontaneity never ends with a boring story. Though not every day will be like the glamorous adventures you see on the big screens, some of these quotes will remind you that you don't need glam and a big city to have an adventure, because life is an adventure itself.

1. Because some friendships don't always lead somewhere.

2. Because you're the CEO.

3. Because it's that simple:

4. Because your answer should suffice.

5. Because we need a little courage.

"I think if you can dance and be free and not be embarrassed, you can rule the world." ~ Amy Poehler

6. Because you should always make the most of it.

7. Because bossiness is sometimes encouraged.

8. Because you should use your thoughts for good.

"Mother Teresa didn't walk around complaining about her thighs—she had shit to do." ~ Sarah Silverman

9. Because it's a great morning mantra...

10. Because negative people like company, but...

11. Because you should never waste your time.

“When I look at my 20s, or when I look at any period in my life, I think about how much time I’ve wasted trying to find the right man. It’s like, if I could go back and do it again, I would have taken guitar lessons or something. I would have put my energy into something that paid off in the end, instead of trying to improve myself for men. Oh, the time and the energy, trying to impress somebody who was actually a big jerk.” ~ Amy Adams

12. Because sometimes we need patience.

13. Because some things just aren't worth it.

14. Because there will always be some scary firsts.

"It makes me happy to know that none of us get a how-to guide. We're all just kind of winging it." ~ PostSecret Postcard

15. Because you should never apologize for going after what you want.

16. Because you should play by your rules and your rules only.

17. Because you should never give up.

18. Because smart is always sexy.

19. Because you call the shots.

20. Because we all over think it...

21. Because it's comforting to know: