A letter from Nov 17, 2022

Dear FutureMe, This is freshman me writing to you. The date is Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 10:04 am. I’m currently sitting in my bio lecture trying to finish this because it’s a graded assignment due at 5pm tonight (I know who makes an assignment due at 5pm?). Although I’m only doing this because I have to, I hope you take this to heart. I hope you’ve enjoyed your time at UM and you’ve made amazing memories and friends. I hope you were able to study abroad and you learned a lot about yourself and different cultures. I wonder if you’re still majoring in Microbiology (probably right?) and if you still love French as much as you do now. How is everyone?? Does mom still live in Fleming? Do you go back and visit often? Have the Sixers won a chip yet?? Do you still love YL as much as you do now? I know you can’t write back but this is what 18 year old me wants to know. I bet a lot has changed since freshman year but I hope you are still your authentic self. In whatever you’re going to do in the future, whether that be in medicine or research (or something completely different), I hope that you’ll still be doing something that helps people. You are smart and you were made for such a time as this. The best is yet to come. I hope you’re kind, forgiving and servant-like (remember 70x7). I hope you realize that holding onto grudges and the past only hurts you more. I bet when we look back on the things I was stressing about at 17/18 we’ll laugh! I know I do now at my 16 year old self lol. College is tough but I’m glad you’ve made it, wherever you are now. I don’t want to put too many expectations on you so I won’t say too much but I’m already so proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far in just one semester. Whatever you’re doing now has a purpose and God has a plan for you that is better than anything you could ever imagine! How beautiful is that? I hope you get to live in a cool city after college like maybe Chicago, Boston or Philly!! Reach out to your freshman year friends if you’ve drifted apart. They helped you a lot in your first year and life is too short to be afraid of awkward conversations. Tell your family you love them more and thank them for all they’ve done. To mom and nana: I love you both so much and I know I don’t tell you as much as I should but I’m so grateful for everything you do. Life is short and everyone is getting older so I hope you hold onto them while you can. You’re 22 now and older (wow Taylor Swift year) and you’re officially on your own. Know that people love you and you shouldn’t ever be afraid to reach out. Just had a crazy thought, by the time you read this again you’ll be closer to 2030 than 2020. I feel like I was just ringing in the New Year last week. Truly mind blowing has quickly time moves. Wherever you are, remember that you once prayed to live the life you have now. What a blessing that is. Okay I’m rambling now so I’ll let you go. I’m sure you have very important things to do now. Bye for now. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 P.S. If you're looking for a sign to act, this is it. Write back if you can and keep me updated :) Love ya!