The
"Awkward" 18th Birthday
Just Becoming an Adult - But
Not Quite
So, you or someone you know
is turning 18? Good luck! For most people, their
18th birthday is one of great importance.
The young
adult
Legally, it means that they
are old enough to vote, go to war, and are deemed
"adults". Most 18 year olds find themselves just
graduating from high school at that age and
entering college, or getting ready for their next
life journey.
Voting
rights
For my 18th birthday, I was
getting ready to begin my first year of college and
ecstatic that I would be able to vote in that
fall's presidential election. I had made sure to
know as much as I could about all of the candidates
so that I could not only vote, but make an educated
decision as to what party I felt represented my own
beliefs. I did vote that fall, very proudly. The
candidate that I had voted for did win and I was
happy to know that my one vote had made somewhat of
a difference.
The 18th birthday
party
My parents were at a bit of a
loss as to how to celebrate my 18th birthday. Since
my birthday fell so close to the time I was leaving
for college, they decided to throw me an 18th
birthday party and going away party all at the same
time.
At first, I was a bit
disappointed with that, thinking that it would be
more of a sad occasion. Once the time actually
arrived, it turned out to be a wonderful time.
My mother had come up with
the idea of throwing a huge bash at our house. She
wanted the two major reasons for celebration to
remain separate even though it was one big party.
Putting her creative abilities to work, she turned
the inside of our house into the going away party.
Decorating
Outside, in our backyard, was
where we'd celebrate my 18th birthday. She had a
cake made for each occasion and decorations as
well. She split the food into the two areas so that
people would have to wander back and forth between
the two "parties" that were occurring. I absolutely
loved it and adored her for having come up with the
idea and putting so much effort into making it a
wonderful day for me.
Birthday memories of 18
years
It has now been many years
since my own 18th birthday, and that unique party
still holds the record as being my absolute
favorite. My own daughter is still years away from
that significant age and I can't imagine what the
world will be like when she turns 18.
I do know, that I want her
18th birthday to be just as special as mine was.
Her birthday also falls right after her high school
graduation, so I may end up doing exactly what my
mother had done for me. She'll love it. Are you
getting the idea yet?
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