While packing for my first year of college, I've had the luxury of finding my middle school diary in a box of randoms that has been trapped under my bed for who knows how long. While this diary is full of hilarious little moments of my life, this one entry stuck out in particular. It was a letter I wrote for my college self in the summer going into eighth grade. And it reads:

This is dedicated to my college self: Hey girl hey <3

Hopefully you are at Hampton University prospering in your black excellence.Remember to keep God first and your sexy fine piece of chocolate man second and half-school should probably be second. Yes he can play football but he better have a grown and sexy major. Something that sounds rich! I'm only half joking girl. International Baccalaureate should have paid off by now. I'm going to make a prophecy that you enjoyed IB and got your high school diploma. I hope you challenge yourself! College is going to prepare you for great things. I wish the bestest relationship with you and your roommate. Hopefully you have perfected your makeup skills and cleaning skills. Don't scare your poor roomie away! I know the changes and new opportunities will be a bit different than what you're used to but you can't grow in your comfort zone! So reach for the stars boo and make me and you proud!

~xoxo Alissa :)

I've decided to respond to my innocent little eighth grade self as my college self!

This is dedicated to my middle school self: Hey girrrl <3

Although I'm not attending the illustrious Hampton University like we planned originally; I will be attending a school more suitable for me-the College of Charleston. My faith has definitely increased throughout this transition into college life, hallelujah for that! The whole having a man part sis. It is so clear that you were boy crazy in middle school but being in a relationship is the last thing on my mind right now. And yes, I'm still holding on to our dream of being an NFL wife, but see the way my school is set up...it doesn't have a football team. What's crazy is that I decided to do IB, all the way in middle school. Unfortunately, I didn't 'enjoy' it per say like anticipated. It was hard and I was indeed challenged. Luckily, our dearest best friend from middle school will be my roomie! The makeup skills, are getting there. Cleaning skills, it could use a little more work. I'm going to strive to make you proud little me!

~Alissa 2019

It's kind of funny that my boy craziness was so wild! What did I know about grown and sexy in middle school? Absolutely nothing! I'm glad I always kept a positive and open minded idea of my future. It is so rewarding to see how much I've grown and matured mentally over these years.