Birthdays are a time for cake, friends, and celebration. Especially major birthdays like 16, 18 and 21 years old. These are milestone ages. This milestone also call for a reflection on the previous year and how one's life has gotten to this point. Birthdays are a time to wake up and feel grateful for what you have.

Today, I turn 21 years old. Looking back on all the great and not-so-great times I've had this year, I want to thank some important people in my life for helping get to where I am today. Without them, I would never be the strong, independent, young woman that I am. With their help, I've succeeded in my academics, my extracurriculars, and my social life. I've been able to have so many wonderful opportunities — a study abroad trip to Ireland in May of 2017, double major and Master's graduate program in five years, five plus leadership positions and organizations in the past year and so much more- all thanks to the wonderful support system I have been blessed with.

To my mom: Thank you for sticking by me through everything I've gone through this year. There have been plenty of laughs, hugs, and tears, and many of them have been shared with you. As I get older, I realize how much I am like you. I aim to succeed in everything I do, go above and beyond the call for action and still manage to let loose too! Thank you for helping to shape me into the woman I've become today.

To my dad: Thank you for listening to my boring school problems. Thank you for reminding me to do my homework and informing me when daily activities have come up in the house- mainly telling me about the animals and what they've been up to while I'm gone. I miss home while I'm at school and it's nice to sit with you in the living room, watch tv and enjoy each other's company.

To my friends: I'm 21, guys! Being your friend is definitely a roller coaster ride. We have amazing times and we have some less than amazing times. But I know I can always count on you guys to make me laugh, pick me up when I'm down, or remind me that I'm going to graduate... eventually!

As I look back on my entire life, I don't know how I would have made it to 21 without these people, and many more. My boyfriend is always there for me, my professors help me when I feel like I'm drowning in work, and my sorority sisters are always around to provide a shoulder to cry on, a happy face, and a wise friend to help with problems. I'm so blessed to have the people in my life to motivate, encourage, and support me through all of my crazy ideas. Thank you so much, I wouldn't be who I am today without you. Here's to making 21 the best year yet!