Melanie and her parents, 21 years ago today.
I've told you that my daughter Melanie, our youngest girl and second-youngest child overall, is spending six months in Orlando, Florida, as a Disney College Program participant. She operates rides at Disney's Blizzard Beach water park, sweats profusely in the Florida sun, and takes remote classes through Cleveland State University.
She is a very busy young woman.
She is also, as of today, 21 years old. Which I'm sure means she will take a sip of alcohol for the very first time in her life.
I choose to believe this is true.
Do you remember where you were or what you did on your 21st birthday? I was covering the Ohio high school state volleyball tournament in Dayton with my News-Herald co-worker Matt Kantz. I went through a drive-through beverage store to buy a six-pack of beer, mostly because I could.
The beer wasn't all that great, as I recall, but the fact that I could legally purchase it was very cool.
There are many things about adulthood that make you wish you were a kid again. But on balance, being a grown-up beats being a child, in my experience.
So here's hoping little Mel has the best of all possible 21st birthdays. If she does decide to have a beer today, I hope she doesn't also have to work a shift at the water park. Otherwise, her buzzed self may send an unsuspecting child down a water slide at the wrong time to his/her doom.
Happy birthday anyway, kid.
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