Tomorrow is the day I turn 18 and I am definitely not where I thought I would be. I’ve had my heart torn out and served on a silver platter, I’ve lost many loved ones, and I’ve seen things I never thought I would. But, I’ve also fallen in love, felt the magic of life, and, most of all, I’ve lived.  I’ve lived through many things and experienced many things, so here’s a list of 18 things I have done:

1. I learned to love myself no matter what anyone else thinks.
2. I learned to drive.
3. I got my first car and learned how to drive stick in it.
4. I fell in love with cars.
5. I registered to vote for November 6th.

   

6. I have scheduled a tattoo appointment.
7. I have fallen in love for the first time.
8. I have traveled to many different continents.
9. I have started applying to colleges.
10. I have seen how life doesn’t stop for anyone.
11. I learned to not take myself too seriously.
12. I have learned life is short and is over in the blink of an eye.
13. I have learned that I can have different beliefs than the people who raised me.
14. I learned that the person you call your best friend isn’t always the best friend for you.
15. I have learned how to stand my ground.
16. I have learned some friends come and go.
17. I have learned some people are in my life to teach me a lesson and then leave me.
18. I discovered who I want to be and what I want to do with my life.

There are many things I have learned and experienced, but my favorite has been falling in love, getting my heart broken, finding myself, and becoming the best version of myself.