I Guess I'm Just Getting Older

So - at what age do you suddenly become old to young, hip people? Is it a state of mind? Is it just me? I had an experience today that really threw me, and unfortunately, it's right on the heels of my glaring reminder Saturday night that I'm aging (see last post).

I popped into a little restaurant today to grab lunch to go, and a very handsome young guy, probably around 23 years old, was working the register. He was so sweet - the kind of person that just makes you feel like you've been noticed. I got all caught up in the moment and before I could stop myself I found that I was being a bit flirtatious (nothing serious, mind you). I might have even thought he was flirting with me, until I was stirred from my reverie with the words, "MA'AM, is that to go?" I was pulled back to reality suddenly and painfully. "Yes", I said, like a child who had just been put in her place. "Okay, that's $4.16, and that will be out in just one second ma'am." You get the jist. He did call me "ma'am" four times, and I'm not exaggerating.

Apparently there are three stages to adulthood. The first stage is when you still "have it". You are viewed as young, and are still attractive and have every right to flirt and enjoy being flirted with. The second stage is a strange, gray sort of area, where you might be viewed as attractive and even flirted with occasionally, but it's done sort of out of fascination, as you are clearly older than said people flirting with you. This is the stage where young guys in cars might look over at you when stopped at a stop light and check you out. In this stage, young handsome men don't call you "ma'am", because your age can look ambiguous and they don't want to risk offending. (CAUTION: purchasing a mini van will instantly close out this stage of your life and catapult you into stage 3). The third stage is when you have clearly passed out of the gray area and are now on the dark side. This is the stage where someone sees you pull up in a mini-van, sizes up the "Mom Jeans" (yes, I'm embarrassed to admit I have a pair), and decides to be flirty with you because you probably looked good when you were younger, you're nice, and you look like you could use a pick-me-up. This is the stage where you clearly look old enough to be a "ma'am" to a nice handsome young college guy. This is the stage where you realize you're older than most movie stars, pop stars, and athletes - and you stop getting carded!

I probably sound like I have a problem with getting older. I don't. Birthdays and my age have never bothered me. But that's because I always thought I looked young to everyone else. I guess my problem is that I'm a 34 year old trapped in a 35 year old's body that stole a 40 year old's ride. At least I know Husband thinks I look good behind the wheel of the stow 'n go!