Funfetti cupcakes, vanilla frosting – homemade.

You watch as your mom retrieves the wrapped gift that has been hiding under her bed for weeks. In about two hours, your entire third grade class will be arriving for your party (along with half of a petting zoo).

It’s your birthday.

You’re finally double digits.

The image staring back at you from the mirror is dressed in a gown and your wrist is adorned with jewels. As you come downstairs, your grandparents are speechless at first glance.

You have been envisioning this moment since the invitations were sent out a month ago.

It’s your birthday.

Happy Sweet 16.

The highlights of your summer range from catching fireflies in the backyard to boardwalk rides. Afternoons of frozen watermelon and homemade ice pops and running through your neighbor’s sprinkler system.

A new backpack, the matching lunchbox and fresh sneakers sit by the front door for you to scoop up on your way out to the bus stop.

Tomorrow is the first day of first grade.

You’re going to miss sleeping in until noon and that sun kissed glow. The temporary nonexistence of academic stress and all the free time in the world. But unfortunately, that lifestyle ends as the alarm clock is reset.

Tomorrow is the first day of senior year.

You wake up slow with the sun on your side, and someone makes you breakfast – an egg over toast with a heart shape cut out in the center, sliced strawberries, and bacon torn into bite sized pieces. A cartoon marathon runs on the TV until lunchtime.

It’s Saturday morning.

In the blink of an eye, you’re rolling over on someone else’s floor still wearing some of the makeup you put on last night. Another party is behind you. All the evidence remains in the uncertain safety of your camera roll and possibly Snapchat story. (Bagel Masters to follow)

It’s Saturday morning.

You leave out a plate of cookies for Santa beside the magical dust for his reindeer. New Year’s is spent struggling to stay awake until midnight and then watching the ball drop in Time Square from your couch... in pajamas.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Suddenly, your life revolves around seasonal Starbucks drinks, the big Thanksgiving high school football game. Last minute Christmas shopping in hysterics because the mall closes in 30 minutes and staying out to celebrate well into the morning of January 1^st

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

You smile at the other kids on the playground and immediately gain new friends in the eyes of these strangers. You fantasize for what seems like forever about the boy who will be your first kiss. And the only love you’ve felt firsthand is dancing with your dad to Butterfly Kisses.

Simpler times.

But that’s love.

The years go by, and those girls who you sat with everyday during middle school are now your sisters. Guys that you relentlessly admired from afar have found their way into your heart. And the world “family” now sparks a picture of the ones who respond “love you more” to your “I love you” texts – not just those connected to you by blood.

It’s not always easy,

But that’s love.

So, when did “one day” become now?

And why must we grow up?

But… is it really that bad?