Yesterday, I turned 19!!! Yesterday, I turned 19. Yesterday, I turned 19??? My birthday this year had me feeling a mix of the prior sentences, both excitement and disbelief. As of yesterday, I only have one more year left of my adolescence and then I will enter my twenties. This statement is very bittersweet, filling me with both anticipation for what’s to come and a sadness about leaving my teenage years in the rearview. Honestly, my first birthday away from home felt a little strange. As someone who is very steadfast in her routine and traditions, it was a bit of an adjustment to go from celebrating at home my whole life to celebrating in a dorm room in another state.
At home, my family always had birthday traditions, like opening presents together or picking out a sugary birthday cereal for breakfast. This year, my birthday traditions looked a little different. Rather than being with my family, I celebrated with them over FaceTime. While it was nice to see their faces, we all know that it’s not the same as being physically together. Another birthday tradition my family has is all coming together to have cake, served on the special ‘It’s Your Birthday!’ plate. This year, cupcakes and cookies were served on paper plates on the floor of my incredibly spacious triple (note the sarcasm) with new friends. Although this birthday looked different than previous years, it was different in a good way. It marked the beginning of a new era of birthdays at school, with new people to celebrate with.