Congrats! I'm an Adult Now

"Toot, toot!", goes the party horn.

Again.

"Click, click", go the cameras.

Again.

"Happy Birthday!", go the guests.

Again.

"Congratulations! You've managed to be a disappointment this year too!", go my parents.

Again.

I don't feel the need to cry again.

No, not this year.

This year, I smile.

I smile, because congratulations, my dear parents, your child is no longer a child.

Congratulations, you now have an adult who can't wait to tear down the fragile cobweb-like ties that hang between us as parent to daughter.

Congratulations, your "child" has now installed a complete sense of self-reliance and independency into herself.

Congratulations! It's what you two have always wanted.