Once a year, you get to celebrate getting older on the day on which you were born. Ah, how sweet! If you are anything like me though, one day is just not enough. 24 hours all about you? DEFINITELY not enough. JUST KIDDING! I am not that selfish! Birthdays are important and make you appreciate so much more than just growing up, though that is a crucial part.

Since my birthday is in February, I enjoy celebrating the entire month even though my friends don't understand why. Maybe one day they too will let us celebrate the entire month for them.

You have four weeks to mourn the fact that you are, once again, getting older. A year closer to adulthood. I realized I was LEAVING THE TEEN YEARS. I definitely needed these weeks to realize that adulting was becoming real and playgrounds were out of sight (until i go home and jump on the swings in my neighborhood.)

Twenty-four hours isn't enough when you're six hours from home, and your parents can no longer wake you up on the morning of your birthday with balloons, flowers, and presents.

It takes a few days to celebrate from a distance, so the entire month is needed to celebrate. Shout out to my parents for coming to South Carolina for a weekend to celebrate with my brother and me before my birthday actually happened! I definitely needed the family time.

In high school, it was much easier to appreciate the fact that you were given life in person and were able to celebrate yet another birthday with the people that love you the most. It's hard being away from home on my birthday, but I think it makes me appreciate my parents so much more since they make a huge effort to make the day special.

Every three years, the 28 days are to ensure them that you are alive, well, thriving, and maturing into the person they always knew you would be.

There is so much to be thankful for every day, and life is one of those things. You should not take for granted what you have been given even if the days are tough.

You have a support system near and far, so whether the "happy birthday" text is early or late, you know people love you from everywhere.

My birthday was absolutely the best day of my life. I could not stop smiling at the amount of love I received on social media and in person. Standing in my sorority house, I said, "This is what love is... having sisters you may have met a week ago make your day a million times better just by smiling and saying happy birthday."

Take the month to embrace the love and appreciate those that have come into your life and given you life.

Here's to 20 years young and 28 days of love and laughter I experienced this past month!