A letter from Jan 05, 2025

Dear FutureMe, Today is my last day of winter break. I feel sad, of course, but also excited. I want to see my friends again. And yes, I'm still friends with the whole gang. I love them all. This year, I got a lot closer with a few of them. I appreciate them so much sometimes I think I love them more than myself. I got into 8th Grade Honor Band and I'm still working on my NHD project. By the time you open this letter, it'll be the end of 8th grade. I hope you had fun. I hope you relished every memory with your friends. I hope you took risks and made spontaneous decisions. I hope you tell your friends and family that you love them more. Also, congratulations on making it to the end of middle school. I'm sure there were multiple times when you thought you weren't going to make it, but look at you now. I want you to feel accomplished. It feels surreal, writing a letter to a middle school graduate. But not just any graduate; myself. My future self. When you get this letter, you might cry, knowing myself. You probably already cried at least once today. Also, canon event that happened in 2024; The Outsiders. I'll never forget that one paragraph when Dallas Winston got shot and ******. I'll never forget Johnny's wise words; forever 16. A lot of bad has happened already, and its only January 5th. 5 days into the new year and we're holding funerals and vigils for the ones we've lost. I know there will be a lot more bad happening, but I want you to know that theres also good in this world. If you look for it, you'll find love everywhere. And sure, maybe you already have notes and letters written, just in case, but don't let the bad in the world overshadow the good. You will cry. You will fall and think that you can't get back up again. You will think that life is pointless or hopeless. But you will also find love. You will laugh so hard to the point of tears. You will accomplish so much. You will enjoy life, and you will thrive. Take the good with the bad. Live in the moment, Natalie. Love, Nat