25

I turned 25 today.

Birthdays have never been all that memorable to me. I don’t even remember what I did or where I was for my birthday last year, let alone the year before that. The last one I really remember was my 21st birthday. Not because I had the night of my life, but because an ankle surgery and crutches prevented me from having the night of my life.

I have a feeling I’ll remember this one though. I’ll remember that I was in France. I’ll remember the amazing week I had leading up to today. I’ll remember that I was alone. And although sometimes I don’t mind that, I’ll remember the feeling of really wishing I wasn’t alone right now.

Above all else, I’ll remember this as my first adult birthday. Although I graduated in May, I was really still in college when this day came last year. I didn’t have a job. I was still using my college email. I still had my college girlfriend. I still lived at home. All my college “friends” wished me happy birthday.

Just a year later, and it’s amazing how much has changed. August will mark my third apartment. I’ve made a living as a writer, and am now working on buying a software company. My college girlfriend has given way to a girl I could have only dreamed of 6 months ago. I’ve traveled more this year than I did in my first 24 combined. And the birthday wishes have been reduced to just my close friends.

It’s scary in many ways. My 20s, the time of your life where you're supposed to figure stuff out, are halfway done and I often still feel just as lost as I did when I was 19.

But it’s wildly exciting in other ways. This past year was the greatest year of my life. And I like what I see in the future, even if the picture is blurry at times.

Here’s to 25.

Regularly scheduled Stove Top content will resume next week.