Dear Future Someone,

I like to believe that everyone has a soulmate. Ever since I was little, I have been a hopeless romantic. All those years of me watching Bollywood and Disney movies lead me to believe that my Bollywood hero/prince would come and sweep me off my feet as we danced to “Can I Have This Dance” from High School Musical 3, all while fireworks lite up the sky in the background.

But life isn’t a fairytale. I’ve grown up, and the cold harsh winds of reality have fractured my rose-tinted view of love. I know you won’t come riding in on a noble steed to take me away to your far away kingdom. I know we probably won’t be singing duets while running around the snowy Swiss mountains. I know it won’t be a happily ever after, we will have many obstacles thrown at us that we need to overcome. And yet, while I may have lost some of my innocence, the dreamer in me isn’t completely gone. I have hope that through the good days and bad, if we are really meant to be, we will perceiver.

Whoever you are, wherever you may be, I know that when the time is right fate will bring us together. So when that faithful day comes, I have some things that I ask of you…

Please be patient with me. I can be extremely forgetful.I can be very stubborn. Sometimes I don’t act my age. I have my flaws, I am human after all. But if you are patient with me, I will work hard to be the best possible version of myself.

Please support me in my endeavors. Whether it is academic related or just a hobby, if I really enjoy something I go all out. I’m a dreamer, I have high aspirations that might not always seem realistic. Sometimes the things I want to pursue might seem out of reach. All I ask is for you to trust me and have faith in my abilities, no matter how ludicrous my dreams may seem. I am sure you also have certain (healthy) hobbies that you are passionate about too, and I promise I will support you whatever they may be.

Please be direct with me. I am not good at picking up on social cues. I have trouble reading people, mostly because I overanalyze everything. So if you are upset with something, or you don’t like something I did, please just tell me. It will make things so much easier for both of us.

Please respect my cultural heritage. My Indian background makes up a big part of my identity. It isn’t just the Bollywood movies or Indian dishes that I love (though they are amazing). It’s the fact that I don’t want to ignore a part of my upbringing that has influenced my way of life in such a positive manner. I am equally proud of both my American and Indian sides, and I never want to have to give those parts of me up for someone.

Please make an effort with my family and friends. My family and friends mean the world to me. Since I moved around a lot as kid, my parents and sister are the only real home I have ever had. The few close friends I have acquired over the years have turned into my extended family. They have been there for me through everything life has thrown, and I honestly wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. So when I say make an effort with them, it means that I want you to understand that I have the utmost respect for all of them, and I want you to give them the same. Believe me, they are good people; they will welcome you with open arms if they can tell that your heart is pure.

Please let me have my space sometimes. Just because we are together, doesn’t mean that we have to spend every waking moment together. There are definitely going to be times when I just don’t want to interact with humanity and would prefer to get lost in a book or drawing. Please just know that even when I am immersed in my own world, I haven’t forgotten about you. I will always find my way back to you.

Please respect my choices, even if you don’t agree with them I don’t make the best choices, but I learn the best from my own mistakes. Just know that whatever I want to do, I do it with the best of intentions.

Please don’t be afraid to call me out on my crap. Like I said, I am very stubborn. I will need you to tell me when you think I am overreacting or to calm down and relax. I might get angry at the time, but I will appreciate it in the long run.

Please be thoughtful I am not very high maintenance. I don’t need expensive gifts to make me happy. Just remembering something I said I liked (i.e my favorite chocolates or FOOD) is enough to make me melt in a puddle of happiness. I am also a huge sucker for little motivational post-it notes or bright flowers on a rainy day. Most of the time though I don’t even need food or flowers; just a good hug and a reminder that you love me is all I will require to feel better.

Please have faith that I will love you and stand by your side. When I love someone or something, I love with everything I have. Sometime I might get cranky with you (especially in the morning), but when you need me the most I will be there in a heartbeat. I will be your number one fan and cheer you on during each and every victory. And when things come crashing down, I will be there to wipe your tears away and motivate you. All I ask in return is you do the same.

It could be years until we meet face to face. But something in me knows that the wait will be worth it.

Until then,

Your future someone