Dear Cuz,

Congrats! I am so, so proud of you, you don’t even know. Finishing high school is a big deal, and I felt the need to acknowledge and celebrate it! You and I have been super tight for basically our entire lives, and I’m glad to have been there with you for all the ups and downs, and now for this momentous occasion! Since the two of us are so close in age, we’ve pretty much always been walking together, and it was weird for me this last year, knowing that for the first time in forever we weren’t on the same part of the path. It’s always a comfort knowing that whatever I’m going through, you are probably dealing with it too, and we can make it through together. As you’re counting down the last few days until you get to toss your cap and wave goodbye, there is something I wanted to say to you:

As you’ve probably heard about a million times, and know for yourself anyway, your world is about to change completely. It's okay to feel anxious about that. No longer a young one safe within the walls of a life and a plan dictated by those in authority, you now will be living in what people often refer to as the “real world”. It’s true, you will face many new challenges and obstacles, from making plans and decisions to figuring out how to get to the grocery store to buy cereal. Everything is brand new and open to you, and it is exhilarating in the most terrifying way. You can do anything, but you can also do anything; that power is good, but you also live with the knowledge that you are fully in charge of what you do and where your life goes. That’s pretty intense, especially in comparison to how life was before. You have every right to be nervous about entering this new stage. But also, I want you to know that the “real world” out there, isn’t that scary. It’s full of wonder and excitement, and the chance to make your life into whatever you want. It’s incredibly freeing to get the opportunity to find out exactly who you are, on your own. All the awesome new experiences are worth the confusion and uncomfortableness of right now. You are an incredible person, and you will bloom in this new place and new chapter of your story. Nothing is unconquerable.

I hope you enjoy your last few days of high school. Though everything is moving so fast, and I know you can’t wait for it to all be over, pause for a moment to take it all in. Marvel at this milestone achievement, and appreciate how every experience you have had has brought you to where you are today. It’s a great feeling to simply bask in your own amazingness for a moment.

I also want you to know that I’m still always here for you, even halfway across the country. We have so many great adventures ahead of us; together and apart, and I can’t wait to hear about yours. I know you’ll take the world by storm.

You can always call me, beep me, if you wanna reach me.