Sprinting Away From Society

Three eighteenth birthdays, three entirely different definitions of celebration: my sister stepping elegantly into society, me sprinting away from it, and my daughter choosing something quieter.

When I was growing up, there was great romance and excitement around the idea of an eighteenth birthday. For young girls, it usually came in the form of a coming-out ball, an expression that has taken on a somewhat different meaning these days, and not one that involves white gloves, tiaras, or a carefully curated guest list of suitable society.

Traditionally, these balls were designed to introduce a young woman into polite society: a formal declaration that she had arrived, was grown up, and most importantly, was ready to be noticed.