A letter from May 24th, 2022

Dear Future Me, Life right now is in an insane transition period; I've never taken on more challenges or growth all at once. You've just gotten your FIRST "REAL" CONTRACT JOB AS A TEACHER!!! AHH!! I can't believe you've made it...you've worked so hard to get here and this year was full of adversity and sometimes every single day felt like a mountain to climb, but you did it and everyone (including me) is proud of you. I hope wherever you are right now, you're thriving and that teaching has become easier and you've grown and bloomed as an educator. Ideally, I would love to read this letter as I'm ending another year at West Clermont High School. Right now, life is sweet and wonderful and you're deeply in love with Jesse. Jesse has shown me love in a way I've never known and each day, no matter how bad it is, becomes tender and good because you fall asleep in their arms, enveloped in their love. Every moment with them makes you feel so happy and fulfilled and you eat up every second of their time that you can because you love them so very, very much. Here's what I hope life is like for you right now: You're happy and fulfilled in your job. You feel like you've grown, you're getting better and better each year, and you're excited for the NEXT three years. I hope, above all, that you're happy and in love with Jesse in your OWN place and that you feel just as grateful to be with them and feel their love every day. Maybe you'll even be married or have a beautiful baby with them. Either way, I hope you're still deeply in love. I also hope at this point that you've been able to travel a bit (hopefully out of the country!) and that you've lived a lot of life. Whatever life is like three years from now, know that you have accomplished everything you need to and that life is exactly where it should be for you right now. We move at our own pace and life unfolds in funny ways. Maybe life is completely different than how I imagine it now- and that's okay! No matter what, you should be proud of yourself and you're doing wonderfully. What matters most is that you're happy and filling your life with things and people that bring you joy. You're kind, intelligent, smart, and treat others with sincerity and compassion. YOU ARE AMAZING AND PAST YOU LOVES YOU. You're doin' great, kid.