“Why do you go so hard for your birthday… it's just another day of the year?”

A question that I’m sure many of us have heard. We may tend to ignore this question in belief that the individual just isn’t big on birthdays. I, on the other hand, think it's a result of not understanding the true meaning of celebration.

A celebration can tend to be reserved for happy occasions…the good news. Interestingly, the term Celebration of Life is saved for after all our memories have been made. True celebrants know that celebration is dedicated to life’s largest moments. Those moments aren’t always tied in a pretty package. Birthdays aren’t always the commencement of a triumphant year. I remember birthdays that concluded years that weren’t filled with so many smiles, but I celebrated those too. I haven’t lived a perfect life, but I’ve undoubtedly led one worth celebrating. One that’s seen peaks and valleys, and I’ve pushed through them all. One that’s been filled with individuals that have taught me how to appreciate every moment.

So if someone asked me right now, “Why do you go so hard for your birthday… it's just another day of the year?” My response would be…

As I count down the hours till my 21st birthday, I prepare to reminisce on the events that have prepared me to enter womanhood. So if you thought I was going to do anything else other than go hard, well you might be out of your mind.