she dreamed of him.

So this is sixteen?

I tightness fills my heart as I sing Taylor Swift’s “Fifteen” for one last time the night before my birthday.

I have been overwhelmingly anxious for Sound of Music’s “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, but when the clock turned to midnight, I wasn’t as satisfied.

So this is sixteen?

Where is Jake Ryan?  Why is no one outside my bedroom window holding a boombox?

Why hasn’t Bueller pulled me out of class?  Why haven’t I danced in the gazebo with the cute boy who delivers the telegrams during a storm?

So this is sixteen?

For sixteen years, I’ve waited to be a movie.  I have come to find out real life is not a movie (and movies are not real life).  In all too many ways, real life is a major let down.  But in a million more ways, it takes home the Oscar every time.

So far, sixteen has made Meredith laugh so hard that she pees her pants.

So far, sixteen has had a midnight sonic date every Friday.

So far, sixteen has helped me say hey to the *senior boys (*I guess Tswift can stick around).

So far, sixteen has showered me in lots of golds and greens.

So far, sixteen has brought the most hearty laughs.

So far, I like sixteen.

In no way am I close to a classic 80s movie, but I like sixteen.  I like making memories I can tell my kids about.  I like laughing so hard it gets hard to breathe.  I like feeling giddy and youthful.

Most of all, I like how sixteen isn’t a big deal.  Thank goodness for fangirling over cute boys and embracing it when they find out.  Thank goodness for dancing like an idiot at football games.  Thank goodness for blossoming, fiery, female friendships.  Thank goodness for pink glitter and late night jam sessions.

Here’s to sixteen more years of always licking the frosting and never looking back.