Sweet 16

I was remembering some of my past birthdays, and thought it was great to read about my sixteenth. I know I have a picture from this somewhere, but haven’t found it yet.

From my journal April 3, 199?:

Only 6 days until my 16th birthday! I’ve been counting down the days for 2 months. Now I’ll probably be disappointed. Denine called me to babysit tonight. I have a small feeling that it might not be babysitting. I’m probably wrong, but everyone’s been acting weird the last 2 days.  The phone’s ringing a lot and Erica always gets it. I’m just wishing- so “don’t expect anything” I tell myself….

From my journal April 13, 199?:

…There was a party for me on the 3rd. Only it wasn’t at the K—‘s house like I thought; It was here. Jason and Jared said that they were going to Modesto for errands but they were really decorating at my house.  When they came back about an hour and a half later, they stayed around for like 20 minutes before they brought me home.  When we got here they said they would walk me to the door. I opened the door to see my buddies! I was so surprised! I was shaking all night and half of the next day. MaryLynn, Joel, Jason, Jared, Dalen, Sergio, Jason M, Roy, Jay, Therese, Cory, Stephanie, Amy R, Adam, Rebekah, Erin, April, Robby, Jennifer, and Cynthia were there.

We played murder in the dark, Taboo, and broke a pinata. I got all kinds of cute “16” presents: Kisses, date book, car key with keychain, and a toy car. It was pretty fun…

My birthday was pretty fun. Mom and Dad sent me flowers at school. I got a song in 5th period and a test in 6th period. Lisa, Cory, Jessi, and Stephanie gave me little notes all day and a final clue that led me to my present in Mr. Riley’s room. It was a scrapbook! Pretty cool! Mom and Dad gave me an awesome camera. Erica gave me a locket with our pictures in it. Chris gave me a pair of shorts, Matt gave me a car air freshener and a tape holder for the visor – no car though. Pa, Grandpa, Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Dan gave me money.

It’s not really any different to be 16...

That last line cracks me up because I have discovered in my thirty something years, that age does not make you feel any different. Neither does marriage or parenthood. I’m still the same goofy girl that thinks things are “pretty fun.”