Respect Your Elders

It officially hit me that I was grown up the first time somebody younger than me called me "Sir". I was all of 30 years old!

Submitted by: CKC Sr.

Shades of Gray

I remember it well. I had just turn 28, and still felt like a 19 year old. It was one night at around 10pm. I was in front of my bathroom mirror putting the final touches to my make up and hoochie outfit, getting ready for a night of clubbing. Then, right there, on the right upper part of my scalp, I saw it. A gray hair! I stared at it for a few seconds, then grabbed it and pulled it gently--to make sure it was attached to my scalp. It was. For some reason at that moment I realized that my days of spoiled, carefree young woman were over and adulthood was just around the corner.

Submitted by: Maribel

Eye Blink

I officially became "grown up" when I came to understand mortality, and the fact that life is temporary.

Submitted by: Teran

Bare Necessities

It hit me that I have officially "grown up" when I started drinking coffee every day and started buying anti-aging and firming lotions (as a preventative measure, of course!).

Submitted by: Desiree

Hallmark Moment

I'll never forget it. It was back in '03. I was 26 years old, and my cousin was graduating from UC Berkeley. I was in my parents hotel room, looking through their bags. My mom asked, "What are you looking for?" I said, "I'm looking for Terry's graduation card, I still need to sign my name." My mom said, "Oh, I'm sorry baby. Your dad and I already signed and mailed him his card. We figured you'd go ahead and get him something on your own."

Get a card on my own?? Huh?

Lesson learned: You know you're grown up when you have to buy your own greeting cards.