The Moment I Realized I’m Getting Old

Last week, during our radiothon, I casually mentioned that I'm 33, and the St. Jude people seemed surprised.  At first, I thought, "Wow! Do I really look that much older?"  Then, I thought about how many other people meet me for the first time and think I'm younger.  So, I decided to ask my rep why they seemed surprised, and that led to another conversation.

He said that he was in his mid-twenties and assumed I was his age or younger.  Of course, I thought this was a lie. Then, I thought about the fact that I do have a pretty young-looking mother and grandmother. So, maybe he wasn't just ego stroking.

All of a sudden, I relived the moment when my intern last semester said, "I'm so happy to be here. I grew up listening to you!"

What? Say that again.

"Say what? You grew up listening to ME?"

"Yeah. This is the only station my parents listened to when I was growing up."

If I could've given MYSELF the side eye, I would have. Instead, I looked straight out the window as I let that statement sink in.  Here is this college student saying she "grew up" listening to me.  Then, it dawned on me..... This student is only 19/20.  I HAVE been at WTUG for 10 years.  That places her around 9 or 10 when I first hit the air. Hmmm.... I guess she could HAVE grown up listening to me.

It still sounds old, though.