I don't want to miss my opportunity leading up to April 24th. I am not the first person to do this, nor did I think of it on my own; however, my 21st birthday will only come once.

Most of my friends know that I have been waiting to turn twenty-one since I was about eleven, not because I couldn't wait for the alcohol or the parties, but because my I loved my sisters and wanted to be able to go where they went. I wanted to be able to go to shows with them or stay out late past when coffee shops close (absurdly early). Ten years later, my birthday is just around the corner.

Because of my family's complicated history with alcohol, I've thought a lot about what I want my birthday celebration to be like this year, and the more I considered it, the more I decided that I don't want it to be about my ability to drink. So what? Another year passed, and the same thing will happen next year. To me, what makes this birthday special is that friends will come from out of town to celebrate with me. That's all the party I need.

This year my birthday wish is that instead of celebrating my birthday, all my friends and family will help me do something for others. If you were thinking about getting me anything for my birthday or buying me a drink because I'm twenty-one, please don't. I would much rather see that money provide people with clean water they would't otherwise have.

Seeing others use their birthdays to help people inspired me, and God urged me to listen to His voice and do the same. I hope you will consider joining me in my goal to provide clean water to 21 people!