At 1:25 p.m. March 24, 2000, my world changed forever.

Today, this is what 18 looks like.

I want to remember these days forever… not just the big moments (like Ashar getting her new Chromebook from her dad, which she loved…)

… but the little times too, like making funny faces with Kaitlyn…

18 is amazing.

Ashar’s “18 years” thoughts

These are all directly Ashar’s words.

Three words that best describe her: Awesome, amazing and cool

Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese

Best piece of advice she has ever given or gotten: Never stop being who you are. (Chris chimes in with “Work hard and make it cool,” which Ashar told him as he was leaving for work one day many years ago and which has since become a family catchphrase!)

Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead

Thing she is most looking forward to in the future: Getting a tattoo (that’s coming Friday, March 30!)

Best thing about her: I’m definitely fashionable. (“You’re really kind,” my mom added.)

Best thing about her family: They’re supportive.

My “more than 18 years” thoughts

As we were writing this out, my mom says, “When you’re done, you should do that for you. It’d be interesting.” So, here we go!

Three words that best describe me: Eclectic, interested and (Ashar picks artistic, creative and kind. “And to add on to it, you’re very smart.”)

Favorite food: Also macaroni and cheese

Best piece of advice I have ever given or gotten: “What do you care what other people think?” (Also the title of one of the best books I’ve ever read.)

Favorite TV show: Uh… I don’t really watch TV? I like Jeopardy a lot, I guess.

Thing I am most looking forward to in the future: It’s really hard to narrow it down to just one thing! Right now probably launching my next writing project, a personal finance website.

Best thing about me: I’ll do anything to help someone.

Best thing about my family: We’re a team.

Mom’s “turning-83” thoughts

March 25, 2018, is my mom’s 83rd birthday! So we’re going to make her do this too.

(There she is, watching while Ashar opens her gifts!)

Three words or phrases that best describe me: Survivor, good listener (that was my suggestion, but she liked it), and likes to cook.

(So as Mom and I were doing this, the first word that came to mind for me was chubby, and Mom came up with fat. We are not exactly kind to ourselves, are we?)

Favorite food: Anything seafood, anything chocolate and hoagies. If she has to pick one, seafood.

Best piece of advice she has ever given or gotten: “Don’t worry about tomorrow; it’s going to happen anyway.”

Favorite TV show: M.A.S.H.

Thing she is most looking forward to in the future: Living! (As long as she’s able to get around, she added.)

Best thing about her: “I’m compassionate.”

Best thing about her family: “We all help whoever we can, whenever we can.”