The first time I really felt like an adult was when I bought kitchen cutlery.  I’d had my own apartment for quite awhile, several years in fact, but had used hand me downs for the most part and thrift store finds for my decor and kitchen essentials.  One day I was at a local shopping center and discovered a sale on kitchen cutlery.  I felt myself perk up as I looked around at how reasonable the prices were.

I immediately recognized that I was no longer a child.  Not long before, the idea of inexpensive kitchen cutlery would have been totally dull. Yet there I stood, discussing the pros and cons of different sets with a friendly employee.  She really knew the knives well and was enthusiastic about them.  I found her expertise and enthusiasm to be charming, when not long before I would have had no clue at all.

Those knives are still with me, though I’ve since bought a better set, and every time I see them I smile a little to myself.  Everyone has their own rite of passage into adulthood, but who would imagine it could be something as innocuous as knives?  I wonder about other people and what got them excited for the first time — what was their first adult purchase? 

I’ve checked with a few people and have learned that they all seem to have had a similar experience.  It’s never been the things you’d think of, like the first house you buy or your first car.  It’s been everyday, simple things like cast iron cookware or kitchen cutlery. It’s interesting the things you can learn if you just think a little bit outside of the box.

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