From about the time I turned 13 years old, I was anxiously anticipating my 21st birthday. I assume — actually, I hope — that I'm not alone.

It's really the last age most people ever get excited about. Finally, you can legally smoke, vote and drink, and the only benefit you receive from any other birthday is a cheaper movie ticket, or a special Seniors menu (which has less food anyway). I was always ready for the party; bringing all of my friends under one roof to take a couple of tequila shots and dance around clumsily before hailing a cab to some soon-to-be-named night spot.

Unfortunately, when my 21st birthday rolled around, I was stuck in Myrtle Beach driving my drunk boyfriend back to his condo where I indulged in some Bacardi rum and went to bed.

So for my 22nd — after I dumped the boyfriend and made amends with those who should have been with me the year before — I decided it was time to try again.

Both nights (you always have to go out the night before so you can have "The Midnight Shot") were pretty much the same — free shots, tons of congratulations and a couple "Happy Birthday" serenades. But it still amazed me how differently people in this town treat you when they think you've just turned 21.

And it isn't hard to fool people for a few consecutive years. I mean, only you, your friends, and they guy at the door knows any better.

So this year, I hit the big 2-4 on May 2. And you can bet that I'll be downtown wearing a party hat that says "21" all weekend.

Hey, this is Greenville: Where 21st birthdays never have to end.

Contact Kristin Day at 329-9579 or kday@coxnc.com.