Dear future, I can’t wait to meet you.

I spend hours daydreaming about what you will be like. You are the love affair I look forward to over any person I should encounter. You have me falling in love with you before I’ve even been introduced. Creating a new life in an unfamiliar city is something out of a fairy tale to those with a wandering heart. My day-to-day routines quickly turn sour and the itch to discover something new begins to bloom.

I have high expectations for you. I refuse to accept anything less than extraordinary. This life will be filled with new experiences. State parks that actually have trees, historical streets that date back further than 50 years, sights and sounds that you read about in the magazine and make a mental note to put on your list of “must-sees.” That is what I live for.

I hope my new friends love me as much as I already love them. I lay awake at night wondering about what my future friends and coworkers are doing at this moment. “Hi, future friends. You don’t know me yet, but I cannot wait to meet you. A list has been curated in preparation of our adventures and conquers together. I hope you’re up for the journey with me.”

I need you to hit me, and hit me hard. Challenge me; make me stay up some nights crying. These are the moments that will shape me into a better girlfriend, sister and daughter. Please don’t hand me everything I want: make me learn, teach me, help me grow. I hope that all my lost turns and missed exits lead me to unexpected encounters from all walks of life.

I can’t wait for you to kiss away each restless thought. Day by day, mile by mile, you will help ease the chaos that has plagued my mind since I learned that I could have you. I will continue to fall in love with myself as I grow into the new spaces I chance on.

You don’t have to be perfect; you just need to be real.

Love, Taylor