Dear Future Me,

I hope you have finally figured out what you’re doing with your life because frankly, I have no clue what I am doing right now. But I suspect that at your point in your life you are teaching your own band of misfits in a flourishing music program somewhere, maybe in upstate Pennsylvania or at your Alma Mater. Wherever you are now, I hope you are happy and have at least one puppy running around your house, keeping you on your toes.

I hope that whomever you love makes you happy. I would absolutely love to see you with a guy who not only treats you well, but also one who is as geeky and quirky as yourself, so on the weekends you can bond over Game of Thrones marathons. I hope he is a guy who encourages you to remain as independent and headstrong as you’ve always been; someone who pushes you to be your best and does not just tell you what you want to hear.

I hope you stay passionate in every thing you do, not just for yourself but also for those who you affect with your passion -- your students, your family, your friends. And don’t you dare let a day go by without remembering where you came from and what got you started in this career that, hopefully, you love so much. Remember all the long days and the hard work and how it paid off. Remember every single time you were the underdog and somehow you came through with flying colors.

Remember all those times you failed but got right back up and learned from those failures, and ALWAYS remember the people who helped you get where you are.

Lastly, I hope that even in your busy schedule you still make time for the people who have loved you from the start. Still having that Sunday brunch with your brother? Still taking spontaneous trips with the rest of the family? Still making time to see your childhood best friends? If yes, you have done what I never imagined I’d be able to do. You made it. You’ve done what you love, love what you do, and you’ve surrounded yourself by the ones who love you.

Sincerely,

Yourself

P.S. Stay quirky and always keep it punny.