I think when we begin to describe our birthdays in measurements that relate to "century" we are officially feeling that we are on the decline of life. Well, if you are lucky to die from natural causes or "old age" that is. I on the other hand, don't see it that way. I am so sick of people thinking we are SO OLD when we are merely mid 20's...have we forgotten that just 10 short years ago we were rounding off our frosh year of high school? Yeah, def not old. Instead, people are practically doing a 100 m dash down the aisle and pounding out babies, losing all perspective that once all that happens they won't have the opportunity to be young, selfish (trust, this is not a bad thing) and carefree anymore...which is why, I think, we see so many people getting divorced. Rush rush rush..what's the point? Enjoy and appreciate this moment because it will never come again.
I'm not saying I don't ever have these thoughts, but I've never been one to settle so I'd rather pass up on the mediocre and enjoy singlehood rather than shackle someone into marriage, which I think a lot of young people do out of fear of ending up alone. I also just watched "He's Just Not that into you" for the second time, and I know movies don't exactly equal reality, but some stories have truth to them. Which character got cheated on? Oh, the one who gave her husband an ultimatum right after college that they get married or break-up. Stupid.
I'm not saying I am without the fear I'm sure many people experience about ending up alone, but glad (right word?) that I've been around enough divorces to not fall into that fear. Note: I'm not saying that all young people who get married do this...kudos if you have really found THE ONE. Double kudos for those staying single and strong and not settling, popping out Jr's and namesakes yet.
Maybe I'm just a big kid and am afraid to really grow up; this coming from the woman who just spent her 25th in Disneyland. Yes, you did not read that wrong. I called out to characters, "Hey Minnie!", sang "Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho a pirate's life for me!"loudly on 'Pirates of the Caribbean', and enjoyed a cinnamony-sugary delicious Churro during my waiting time for Round 2 on 'Space Mountain.' I have no shame.
I think after going through enough events in life that have not gone according to once you wrote down on paper or envisioned it to be, you stop making plans (except for the next fab vacay) and live each day independently rather than setting out unrealistic goals only to break at the seams leading you to feel like you've failed yourself. That's no way to live.
Everyone always wonders why I like to celebrate my birthday for like a week's time instead of just the day. It's not that I have to be the center of attention (not gonna lie, can be fun!) but I have friends from different places and points of my life and it's the one time of year I get them all together (under stringent guilt of course) and it's wonderfully awesome. I think when they interact with each other pieces of me are better understood by other friends. They may understand a side of me they didn't know existed. "Oh, she likes to write?" "What she's a beer snob?" "Huh? She wants to read 50 books this year and belongs to a book club?" "She has a weird obsession with hating bumperstickers?" "I didn't know she even went to college-could've fooled me!" I felt so lucky to have 3 tables of friends and family celebrating in Portland and blessed to have 5 more join me in California for an extended celebration on RT '09 (You ladies and gent :) are fabuloso).
So when these feelings of fear peek in and I have a moment of "OMG I'm not married and I'm single at 25?!?!"...I feel better knowing that I am completely surrounded with the best security blanket of friends and family who won't judge me if I'm not married by 28. Or 30. Or 35. Okay, fear moment at 35. Moreso, I'm lucky that I'll be able to spend these special moments with them. Thanks to all of you who make me feel so incredibly loved.
