Dear Future Me,

At the end of your four years at Elon (which I bet were so fun), you’re most likely scared, excited, shaking, smiling and crying all at the same time. I know this because I know you. I am you, just three years younger. You love really hard, you jump in with both feet and you always find the good. You’ve done this for your whole life, and you’re about to do it for the rest of your life. So while you feel like everything is about to change in a big way, you’ll still be you and that’s what really matters. So keep being scared and excited, and keep shaking, smiling and crying. Because that’s who you are and that’s who you’ll always be.

I hope you feel beautiful right now. I hope you’re wearing a pretty dress and a cap and gown. I hope your eyes are wet with the memories of your time at Elon. I hope you’re happy. I hope you have a million new friends who I haven’t met yet, and that they’ll do for you all the amazing things I know you’ll do for them. I hope you’re excited. Your whole life is in front of you. Do with it everything you want to, and nothing that you don’t.

Tell Mom and Dad that you love them. Right now. Literally stop reading this and tell them. They’re the only people who have loved you, and will love you, unconditionally, for as long as you live. Think about where you’d be without them, and then thank them. Because that’s not where you are. Instead, you’re here. Look around you. You’re so lucky. Tell your brother you love him. Look at how much he’s grown up since you last saw him. He’s taller than I am now, so he’s definitely taller than you. Hold onto him. Don’t lose him. He’ll be your best friend and biggest fan until the day you die. Look down at your hands. I hope you’re wearing Mom’s class ring, and your black Movado watch. Think of your family every time you see them. They are your most prized possessions. Cherish them.

Remember those who aren’t with you today. Remember Papa. Remember how it used to take you half an hour to get home when he picked you up from school because he drove so slowly. Remember the ice cream sundaes Nana used to make him after dinner every night, and how much he loved them. Remember his New Balance sneakers and his collared shirts and his twinkly eyes and the jazz music he used to listen to on the radio. Remember how he never said no to you.

Hopefully, everyone else is celebrating with you today. Give Nana, Grandma and Grandpa hugs and kisses. A lot of them. These are the people who have been around forever, but won’t be around forever. Love them with every fiber of your being because you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Their love for me seems to grow each and every day, and they would have loved you even more. I am so grateful for them. Never forget them.

There is so much I want to know about you and your life. Part of me is impatient to arrive where you are, so I can see it for myself. But, luckily, time won’t move any faster, so until I get there, I’ll live in my own happiness. I vow to make the most of every moment, I vow to find the joy in every part of my life, and I vow never to wish that my future would come faster. I love you already, and I hope you look back on this and love me too. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us.

Yours truly,

Sam