Not sure what it is, but being 19 feels and sounds a lot better than 18-years-old.

This past weekend, I celebrated my 19 birthday with my family and friends. My parents came down to visit and buy me lunch and dinner, my mom bought me some great movies and my friends even put together a small birthday surprise.

This birthday is the best birthday I have had in a while and I am sure that I will not forget it.

However, it was not just the cake and company that made it so great. Being 19 years old feels so different. For me, turning 19 was more important than turning 18.

Usually, when someone turns 18, they are still in high school. They still live with their parents, have to wake up early and continue the same routine, and go on about their day as normal. It is like spending a day just like any other.

A 19 birthday does not feel that way. You have more freedom, especially if you have already graduated from high school. You can spend your birthday any way you (legally) want to. The new sense of liberation is overwhelming, but awesome.

There are also more perks you can do when you are 19 in Alabama. You can legally sign a contract, rent a car and you are even considered an actual adult by the state. Groovy, right?

I noticed that more people have told me, "happy birthday," this year than any other year. And I am not just talking about the Facebook posts. A lot of people that live in my residence hall and on campus wished me a happy birthday. It felt so touching that someone I did not know would tell me that. I guess when you turn 19, you truly realize that you are not invisible and that there are nice people in this world.

To be honest, I was a little nervous about turning a year older. It only made me feel like that I was one step closer to reaching a terrible world that everyone calls "adulthood."

Adults will tell you that it is not fun growing up. It is true. I have found myself worrying about what adulthood holds for me, but why should I let that get in the way of me having fun? You should not either. Growing up is not a terrible thing. It allows you to finally be able to make more memories by experiencing new things each year.

So, what I am trying to say is this: It is your birthday! Be happy that you are turning a year older. Some older people are seen as wise, and you could be like them. Do not let the fear of growing up take the fun out of your special day. Let your special day take the fear out of you.