Disclaimer: This post is not meant to be mushy gushy in any way. I apologize in advance if it comes as such. Barf.

This morning, my boyfriend and I were having our usual morning phone call. Since the time prior to the morning that we speak is to wish each other a good night's sleep, it's not hard to guess that not much typically happens in this time period. Generally, people like to sleep during these hours.

But this morning we had a conversation that included more than just how many times I woke up to pee during the night or what bizarre dreams we had.

I'm fuzzy on the details of exactly we were talking about; perhaps because it was sometime around 7am or the fact that I was dealing with wacky 10-year-olds all day. Either way, he was saying something about how I'm there for him, how I hold him up. We have a running joke from a line in a movie that says "Are you just gonna sit there and float there like a buoy?!" Not sure what movie it's even from...some surfing one he probably made me watch one day. For some reason, that line popped into my head this morning. "I'm your buoy! We're each other's buoys!"  We laughed and then after thinking about it for a minute, we quickly agreed that this term, being each other's "buoys", was perfect.

Because what does a buoy do? It floats amidst rough seas. It helps people when there may be a hazard ahead. A buoy might be something to hang on to if a swimmer is feeling tired.

Side note. Each Monday, I watch 'The Bachelor'. (I'm slightly ashamed to admit it, but at the same time I'm not because it's entertaining stuff. Ask my grandpa. He has even taken a liking to it for some strange reason...) Last night, some pathetic, hopeless romantic female said to all of America that Juan Pablo is her "rock". He's there for her during tough times. We've all heard the rock metaphor before.

Rocks sink.

Buoys float.

When thrown into a tough situation, who would rather sink than float? Not I.

Be someone's buoy. Be there to hold them up when times are rough. He there to guide them in times of struggle. Just be there for them. Enough of this "rock" crap.

When I was 10, I thought that by the time I was 23, I would pretty much have it all figured out. By "figured out", I mean that I would be living in an apartment somewhere with a job and a fiance or something. When I was 10, a 20-something seemed like a real person. 13 years later, I still kind of feel like I'm stuck in that 10-year-old's body, except hopefully with a little better idea how to wear eyeliner.

When does adulthood happen? Do I wake up one morning and all of a sudden, I'm an adult? I'm not even really sure what I'm considered right now. I wouldn't say I'm a girl, and a lady seems like I should be drinking tea out of a little cup with paisley prints on it. Family members have been writing on cards that "I'm turning into a wonderful young woman" for the last few years, so I guess we'll go with that. Young woman. Hm.

So, getting to adulthood. To me, adulthood means knowing how to do taxes. It means driving a minivan to take your two kids to soccer practice. Adults know how to set up the cable and they typically know the answer to basically anything. My mom is proof. That woman knows everything.

But me? I'm 23, which I thought would mean adulthood thirteen years ago. Now I'm not too sure. I can't set up a PayPal account. I completely wiped out in the shower the other day for no good reason. I accidentally locked my online bank account last week because I couldn't spell the security question answer. (It was the name of my elementary school. Doof.) I just graduated from learning how to turn the stove off when I'm finished cooking. I can't navigate myself anywhere without the use of mapquest and I couldn't figure out how to calculate a mortgage on my math homework last night.

I got my first credit card last week, so I guess we're off to a start.

I propose that there be some kind of an Adult Genie. This Genie would present us with a handbook of all things dealing with being an adult, a functioning human being. That would be helpful.

Adulthood is weird. I think I speak for most of us 20-somethings when I say that. Maybe one day, I'll wake up and it will all make sense. I'll have it all "figured out". But, maybe it won't just happen like that. Maybe adulthood means figuring it out as you go. So, here goes nothing!

It's here, it's here! The most romantic time of the year...or something like that.

Everyone typically fits into one of three categories on a day like today.

1- You think this is the dumbest, most pointless, commercialized 24 hours of the year.
2- You go into a form of depression because you're "alone" during these 24 hours of the year.
3- You're a giddy little fool and love sharing your love during these 24 hours of the year.

Either way, it's February 14th. It's Valentine's Day, and one way or another, we're all going to make it to February 15th.

If you're part of #1, I get it. Hallmark has taken over. But, you can't say Valentine's Day is the only commercialized holiday. Who says that Thanksgiving means strutting around NYC with a giant Snoopy floating in the air? Where's the connection between that and the pilgrims? I get that Hallmark may have really ran with the hearts and roses, but so many other things have gotten slightly out of control these days. Take a breath.

If you're part of #2, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Someone loves you. Who cares if you're "single"? Technically, you probably saved a few bucks by not buying heart shaped candy. I could go on for days about self-pitying people who feel bad for themselves on days where a counterpart is expected to be acknowledged, but I'll save you the headache.

I, for one, fall into #3. I'm slightly ashamed (but mainly proud) that I love love. I've been blessed to have what society defines as a "Valentine" for the last few years. But, I was thinking about it. Before I had a Valentine (aka boyfriend), I still loved Valentine's Day. My dad would come home with Smidgens from Gertrude Hawk and he was "my Valentine". What I'm getting at is that a "Valentine" doesn't only have to be a husband, boyfriend, fiance, etc. A "Valentine" can just be someone you love. Today is about sharing love with others, isn't it? Do it.

I do hope that everyone will make an effort to be part of #3. Share some love today! Happy Valentine's Day!

Before I begin, for anyone who has not seen Kid President on YouTube, you need to STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND WATCH HIM. He is literally the most fantastic human being ever. Better than that cheese sauce pubs give you to dip pretzels in. Better than a snow day. Better than  finding $20 in last winter's jacket. Seriously watch him. Now. To make your life easier, I attached a video right at the bottom of this post. You're welcome. I highly highly highly suggest you explore Google or YouTube or whatever you use to find more. He has pep talks, letters to moms, and lists of things we should say more often. If I could hang out with this little guy every day, I would.

Enough of my obsessive rant about Kid President.

The video I attached is "Kid President's Letter To A Person On Their First Day Here". Initially, I didn't really know what to expect. Here? Where? Well, it's all about telling a newborn baby all the things about living on Earth...in the best, most awesome way ever.  Here are some of the points that he talks about:

Laughing's the best.

Some days gross things will happen. Some days awesome things will happen. Some days your kite will fly high. Some days it will get stuck in the tree. it's just how it is here.

There's plenty of reasons to dance; you just gotta look for them.

Treat everybody like it's their birthday, even if they don't deserve it.

Take a breath. Isn't that amazing? It's called breathing. You're gonna do it a lot, but no one knows exactly how much, so enjoy it.

You're made from love... to be loved... to spread love.

This little man really knows what he's talking about.  Let's all try to listen to him more often.