I think this is what they call my “late late 20s”.

I turned 28 on Friday. How did that happen so fast? I remember turning 21 very distinctly, and I can remember exactly how I spent that day: It was a Wednesday and I was a junior at Radford University. I went to class and to work, then that afternoon I drove to Food Lion and bought a six pack of beer and drank it with my friends. Then we went to dinner at our favorite Mexican food restaurant. Afterwards, the friends of mine who were 21 took me to the bar for the very first time. I had too many Long Island Iced Teas (gross), went home to eat nachos with Billy and my girlfriend Erin and passed out. Sexy, right?

Turning 28 is different. So, so different.

Turning 28 meant:

Sleeping in, then getting an oil change.

Breakfast by myself at Panera: a free chocolate croissant and a large cup of coffee. Calling my best friend to chat for a few minutes.

Running errands: Old Navy, Target, the grocery store.

Driving with the windows down and my sunroof open on a 74 degree day (amazing).

Baking myself chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese icing because Billy always forgets to get me cake.

Having my phone crash, and not getting too upset about it, because what can you do?

A cookout with friends, too much wine, and singing Bon Jovi at the top of our lungs.

Cleaning my house, washing the dishes and sorting through mountains of laundry.

Dinner at Europa. Drinks at Cha Cha’s Cantina. Laughing and dancing with girlfriends.

Ok, maybe it’s not so different from 21, but it feels worlds apart. Turning 28 feels good – really, really good. There’s a lot to be excited about in the next year.