Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

When I graduated from college, back when I started this column at the Bulletin, I was noting all the little things––the differences between college and the “real world,” as I called it. 

The “real world,” as in, living rent-free with my parents and my dog and working a freelance job at a magazine. The real world would hit soon, right? I’d have to pay, like, bills and stuff? Be conscious of money? I’ll be honest: the real world looked great, and it was kind of sparkling and glittery, even. I was hang-gliding, hiking, and exposing myself to nature and new cities. I was traveling and flying in lots of airplanes. The real world was great. 

There’s this scene in season 1 of “Friends” when Rachel is surrounded by her new community while she cuts up her dad’s credit cards. Monica hugs her and says, “Welcome to the real world! It sucks. You’re gonna love it!”

Let me preface all this. I got married last month, moved out of my parent’s house and into a new apartment with my amazing and handsome new husband, got a brand-new job at a newspaper and magazine, and on top of all that? I have bills to pay now. Rent to make. Groceries to buy. Dinner to cook. In fact, the first week of marriage for us consisted of chicken noodle soup, hot tea, and Vicks VapoRub because we were so sick with a cold. 

This is the most real version of the real world I’ve experienced, and while it might sound like I’m talking straight out of my newlywed bubble, I’d say the real world doesn’t isn’t bad at all. The bills? The rent? My car randomly overheating on the interstate? I can’t even say all that “sucks.” You know what stunk the most? When my husband and I weren’t married and I had to tell him goodbye every day. Getting home from my waitressing job at 11 pm, hungry and tired and smelly and craving my career back. 

This? The real world? This is the most beautiful time of my life. For 26 years, all I heard was, “Just wait. It’s going to hit you.” But you know when it hit me? The times when I was weeping on my best friend’s shoulder, or not passing classes in college, or losing my old job, or attending a funeral for somebody in my youth group. 

Sure, the real world through the lens of my newlywed bubble might look glittery. But so far, all the glitter is, in fact, gold. Rose gold, even. Lots of pink diamonds. Did I mention I’ll be in Italy next week? 

When I return, I’ll let you know what the world looks like over there because I’m certain the world in its realest form is pretty darn exhilarating.