Birthdays come and go, year after year. And with each year comes something different, something more or less you can do. More mobile or less. You learn to walk, can actually have your own birthday party, you become a teenager, you're allowed to drive, you can buy tobacco. There are highlights to every birthday, but my favorite of all so far has been tiring the big 21.

There is a lot of hype about your 21st birthday because in America, you can legally drink at this age. Woo Hoo! It is a birthday that is really talked about and you are expected to celebrate and go buy alcohol because you can! And I did! I celebrated, but not too hard.

There are also a lot of expectations for your 21st because you are allowed to drink, so why not get drunk? However, it is nice to be able to celebrate however you want, you can get drunk, or go for a drink with your best friend, or go to a casino, or just hang out with your family. Whatever it is you do to normally celebrate a birthday, celebrating your 21st birthday just feels a little different.

When I turned 21, it felt weird because he more I thought, the more I realized how much I could do. I could walk around free, and do what I want without having to worry about anything or having legal restrictions. and there isn't much else to look forward too according to America. That is a weird but really nice feeling.

But, there's more to turning 21 than just the drinking. Once you turn 21, you realize what's next in your life. You're in all ways a legal adult. You begin to think about what your future holds because really, you're almost through a quarter of your life. You think about what you've accomplished: whether it be graduating high school, going to college, becoming a parent, buying a house, or traveling the world. You think about what you have to look forward to: going to college, having kids, getting a promotion, getting married, traveling the world, becoming a grandparent, celebrating anniversaries, whatever it may be that your life holds or that your goals are.

Turning 21 made me realize that life is going by fast and that lots is going on. I've already done so much, and am planning so much for my future. It made me realize that I truly am an adult and I get to live my own life. I realize this can happen for people at other ages but, man, thinking that I'm almost 30 just really hit me.

I hope you guys live your lives. Accomplish all of your goals. End every day happy. Love what you're doing and who you're with. And most of all, enjoy life and what it has to offer. Take risks, try new things, set new goals, and dream big, because before you know it, you're an old fart.