Seven-thousand-two-hundred-fifty-eight days. That is the number of days I have been alive. An existential crisis-inducing question, as I was recently asked to calculate the number of days I have been on Earth. From that number, I had to think of my happiest day. My mind blanked and oddly enough the only answer I could think of was a moment dating 10 years ago. With memories of a trampoline, my favorite cake and a white dress, for some reason my thoughts jumped to my First Holy Communion as the best day of my 7,258. I would hope I have had happier days since 2015, but my knee-jerk response was this sunny day full of childlike joy and a golden glow of nostalgia.
Shocked by my own response, I was curious to hear other Villanovans’ takes. Seemingly, I
was not the only one to dive deep down memory lane.
“Easy answer – 5th-grade award ceremony,” a student said.
Per tradition, this student’s elementary school conducted yearly awards for the graduating class honoring those excelling in academics, sports and music, culminating with the coveted American Civilian Award for all-around character excellence.
“I remember being so confused seeing my mom in the front row,” the student continued. “I assumed she was there for my cousin. The last thing I expected was for the announcer to call my name for the American Civilian Award. I remember seeing tears stream down my mom’s face as she beamed at me.”
Prideful and accomplished, this student remembered a floating feeling as they accepted their accolade and continued their day.
Many other students also chose days of high achievements and validation.
“When I ran a marathon and felt the love of all my family and friends supporting me,” another student said. “I was so proud of myself and to know the people I cared most about were just as excited for me was the best feeling in the world.”
Another describes a heated lacrosse game in a European league.
“Against all odds, we beat the Netherlands in double overtime,” this student said. “All my hard work had paid off when the final whistle blew.”
This student described a celebration full of champagne, a team dinner and the comforting relief of success and finality.
Another’s happiest day was a serendipitous excursion into a local Norwegian town.
“It felt like something out of a movie,” they said. “We just stumbled into a charming old church. It was Christmas time so there were decorations and a choir of little children singing. It felt like they were waiting for us to walk in.”
Nothing monumental occurred, but it was time surrounded by their family in a picturesque country, all from a lucky wrong turn.
“I remember it exactly – it is how I would describe my perfect day if anyone asks,” another said. “Except it isn’t hypothetical, it actually happened.”
Every summer, this student’s family, including cousins on both sides, makes a trip up to Maine. On this day, all the cousins decided to wake up at sunrise for an early swim, which flowed into cafe coffee and fresh fruit. At night, they all sat around a campfire, full of ice cream, singing songs as their dad strummed his guitar and laughing at old stories.
Many students’ happiest days were all those surrounded by loved ones. One student, in particular, recalls a blowout summer barbeque bash – balloon arcs, cornhole, more food than they could ever eat and their entire extended family in their backyard.
“We all knew this party would be the last real celebration with my aunt,” this student said. “And it was. But, I can still hear her laugh from that day and it will always be the best party I have attended.”
A bittersweet memory, one laced with love and longing.
“I think about that day all the time,” they continued. “I wish I could relive it.”
July 31, 2032 will be my 10,000th day alive. As much as I loved my Communion, which clearly I do, I strive for a new day to claim my happiest. That might very well mean a planned day full of all my favorite activities, or perhaps I will stumble into it. Either way, I hope not to count the days, but to make the days count.
