Today I turned 21 years old.

I used to pray for this day to come, the day I could finally go out, drink legally, and celebrate all night. My younger self imagined bar after bar, drink after drink, convinced that was freedom.

Isn’t that sad?

Today, I am three years and two months sober. And that alone changes what this birthday means to me.

Because now, I see freedom in a completely different light. Freedom is purpose. Freedom is clarity. Freedom is choosing alignment over escape. Freedom is the peace that comes from loving the life you’re building instead of trying to run from it.

I am beyond grateful to be where I am today. Grateful for the clarity. Grateful for the growth. Grateful for the purpose. 

And most importantly, grateful for my family, the people who have supported me through every version of myself.