With birthdays come a lot of excitement. There are the gifts, the celebrations, and the constant affirmations that you are loved. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the hoopla of birthdays and forget what growing older really means. As I reach my 21^st birthday, there is a lot of excitement. 21 is undoubtedly the one birthday with the most celebrations. And although celebrations are completely necessary, I can say that I spent a lot of time reflecting back on my 21 years of life.

Looking back, I realized I made a lot of good decisions, as well as a lot of bad decisions. I made decisions that I knew were right and would put me in good place, and I unfortunately made decisions that set me back a little. Good or bad, there are no regrets. Every single decision that I have made in my life has led me to exactly where I am right now. Without the bad times, I would never be in the position that I am today. Those times taught me more than the good times. I learned how to deal with hurt, how to get myself out of a situation and how to overcome any obstacle.

Reflecting also allowed me to take a look into all the relationships in my life, both past and current. It is no doubt that relationships can be tricky. There is no handbook that tells you how to be a good friend or how to get along with someone. Instead, we are always learning how to coexist with others. Looking back, I saw relationships with family and friends. I realize now how much I am loved and how many people care about me. I also realized that at times, I might have not been the best friend or family member that I could have been. My stubbornness allowed relationships to end and suffer. No matter what though, every relationship meant something to me, and always will. Even if that chapter has ended, I will cherish everyone who played a part in my life, forever. I will not forget the good times, and I will not let the bad times overshadow them. I am so grateful for everyone who was ever in my life, and if you still are, then thank you for sticking around.

Every road I have ever taken as led me to where I am now. I have learned so much about life and so much about the world. The experiences that I have had the pleasure of living through have molded me to the person I am today. I have seen love, loss and heartbreak. And what I got from all of it is that life is precious. Life is to be celebrated because it is so short. The past 21 years of my life have flown by. I remember being 7 years old like it was yesterday, and in the blink of an eye, I feel like I am celebrating my 21^st birthday. It is important to live in the present, for that is the only thing we have control over. I vow to do this, to love life, and give it my all. Here’s to the next 21!