Do not collect $200, do not pass go-- you are permanently an adult

There comes a point in every young adult's life, regardless of whether or not you are single, or Catholic for that matter, that you come to a shocking realization.

You're a grown-up.

Not like, "Oh you're 18 now, you can vote!" or even "Guess what-- you're 21. Have a drink on me." But actual, tried and true-- "Welcome to adulthood. Just to forewarn you, at times it may suck."

I've passed over the "Welcome to Adulthood" mat often in my post-Marquette year. Usually it happens when I'm mailing off a Visa bill that I proudly paid for myself or when my friends tell me they can't come out to play because they have to study for finals...and all I have to do is paint my toes and make sure I remember when there's a new episode of "The Office" on.

Friday, April 25, in the year of our Lord 2008, at precisely 10:10 p.m. eastern standard time, I will pass over the "Welcome to Adulthood-- All souls who enter are eternally ours" mat. It's no longer just a glimmer. It's that bright shiny light at the end of the tunnel that you just can't help but flock towards-- partially because there's this big boulder pushing you in that direction, and any sign of stopping and you'll be oh so dead.

I, Amy Guckeen, am meeting the family.

The gravity of the situation hit me Saturday when I was dining with my old college roomie. She had just met her boyfriend's fam. I was about to meet my boyfriend's fam. Only a year ago we were eating ice cream directly from the carton echoing our singleton woes. Now we're all gradumatated and girlfriendized.

And going through an extremely serious relationship rite of passage. Meeting the fam.

Sure, some may say it's not a big deal. It's just like meeting a random person on the street and deciding whether or not you should cross to the other side or take your chances.

No.

It's more like-- here's the woman that carried me for nine months and raised me. If you break my heart she will kill you. Or at least put a pox on your house. Oh and hey mom, this is the girl I've been telling you about. I hope you like her. But if you don't, that's ok. She's replaceable, contrary to what Beyonce says.

Ok. Perhaps that's a bit harsh. But you catch my drift. My friends and family are hands down the most important thing to me. If they were a little iffy on a boyfriend of mine, I can't deny it. I'd give him a second look with that scrutinizing Guckeen eye.


Other things that scream adulthood: sitting in a pew at the Marquette University Liturgical Choir spring concert. For all 4 years at Marquette, this choir was my life. I literally lived and breathed all things Lit Choir. In my entire Marquette career, I believe I may have sat in a pew at a maximum of 10 times. In all four years. And there I was, with the posse of Lit Choir alums watching something that we were no longer apart of.

Because we were too old.