I don't know when you'll read this. Maybe you'll glance it over a few weeks from now and cringe over your own writing, as always. Maybe you'll forget about it until next June, and you'll reminisce about how far you've come when you finally remember it exists. Maybe it'll get lost in the pit of the inter-webs, and it'll be nothing but a wisp of memory years down the road.
Regardless of when you find this, I just have one question for you:
How's life?
I hope everything is going well for you. Me, I'm standing at the starting line of my last semester in college. I've got one five-month sprint left until I graduate, and then I'll be out in the "real world." Frankly, I'm a little terrified-- you probably remember how it felt. Everything past the finish line is one big unknown for me right now. I could be running through a portal into Narnia or straight off a cliff, and I'm honestly not sure how I would handle either.
It came so fast, didn't it?
Whenever and wherever you are, I bet you're handling all the anxiety better than I am. Everything always seems so much simpler in hindsight. Are you still chasing down the author dream? Have you found a nice little home at a game company somewhere? Did you ever finish that novel you've worked so hard on for so long?
Hopefully at least one of those dreams is in the works for you. We've always been big dreamers, after all. It's just the steps we have to take along the way that intimidate us. You've got support, though, I'm sure-- you know you can do anything as long as you have people to love you and cheer you on. Mom still probably calls you every night, doesn't she? Maybe you should call her first every once in a while, just to remind her that you do miss her. Check in with Dad sometimes, too-- he gets lonely, even if he drives you nuts when you're around each other for too long.
Did you find a little place to live with your girlfriend yet? I know I've been planning that for ages. If you have, I hope it's cozy and warm, in a place where you're both happy. Maybe you have a couple cats by now, or a tiny fluffy dog like she's always wanted. I have no idea what domestic life is like for you, but remember to cherish her, even if life starts to overwhelm you. She's been with you through everything, and you need her as much as she needs you.
How are your other friends doing? Have you hit the age where sleepovers have turned into simple lunches or evening visits? Please still make time for them, no matter how busy you get. You have so many amazing memories with them; keep making new ones for as long as you can. Even if you haven't seen them in a while, I guarantee it'll be just like old times when you do meet up again.
Oh, and one more thing-- take care of yourself. I know we tend to forget that a lot. We get so wrapped up in caring for other people and fulfilling our responsibilities that we push our own needs aside. You can't go on like that forever. Step back, take a breather, and think about what's best for you every now and again. You're important, too.
Whatever journey you're on now, I hope that when you think about me, you're proud of who I am and where you've gone. Wish me luck in my last semester-- I'll catch up to you eventually.
