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Dear Rehema, (A.K.A Ray, Ree, Jeniah) I hope senior year has helped you grow into a better person. I hope that we spent this year, hopefully, fingers crossed, without being bothered by the fact that we're single. I want to be 100% honest with myself right now. That's usually how some of my years go: I tell myself, "Hey, this year I'm not going to worry about a guy," or "This year, I'm going to focus on relationships differently." This year just feels different. I hope you spent the year not obsessing over checklists or ticking off boxes, but truly doing and achieving things—not things you screenshot or save to your document, but actions with meaning. I hope you successfully created a mock trial group and, if possible, led it. But even if not, I hope your involvement in the Thursday hallway-cleaning project went well. I hope you got Daniel or Foge as your partner—or even Fana, since she was interested too. I hope it was fun and fulfilling. Even if we didn’t end up doing sports—and that’s okay—I hope you remained physically active and made it a habit to get outside and move your body. I truly hope you've found comfort in who you are, even with the awareness that we’re not perfect. I hope you’ve grown to be better than who I am today. Remember, many things are not worth your time, dignity, or emotional energy. I hope the relationships you’ve formed are meaningful and help you grow. Please, try to keep God in your life. I hope we’re still active in church. I hope you didn’t get into a terrible accident. I hope you're alive and well—with all your limbs and toes intact. I also hope our hair is either dyed brown or styled in Fulani braids—whatever we decided. And I just know our graduation party is going to be amazing. Don’t worry about the weather. God will take care of it, even if I’m anxious about it now. You’ll probably be anxious too, but stay calm and carry on. Whether you’re reading this before or after graduation, I know it’s hard. You’re probably sad because some friendships have ended. But I want you to know that we made the most of our time. I’m making that promise now, so don’t be upset about losing friends. If they drift away, remember they were meant for a season—not a lifetime. And that’s okay. (Here for a good time not a long time ) I’m also excited about whatever college we got into—wherever it is. I hope it offers strong job prospects, whether in-state or out-of-state. You’re going to have a good college life. Just remember: stay focused in your freshman year. That’s important for us. We can't repeat what happened during our freshman year of high school. We’re not doing that again in college. Also, I really hope we didn’t try weed or any drugs. Honestly, I hope we didn’t drink—not even a little “sip sip,” buddy boo. Because I know the temptation gets stronger as we get older. But I hope we stayed clean and sober—because period. It’s hard out here, but if we slipped up, find help. And if you do have a man by your side—salutations. I don’t know who he is, but if he’s decent, he’s decent. It’s wild to imagine us having a boyfriend, but if we do, I hope he cares for you. Whether he's there for a season or long-term, just make sure he’s good to you. And if you’re the one just there for a good time—well, honey boo boo, that’s your choice. I hope we’ve grown since I wrote this. I hope the car is clean and fully paid off. I hope we customized it with orange—because that’s the right way to go. Honestly, I hate writing these letters. You never really know what’s going to happen. Writing this feels like grasping at straws, trying to connect with you—but the truth is, we may be the same person, but we're not in the same situation anymore. I hope Mommy is doing well, and that we still have a close relationship—or at least a surviving one. Let’s be real. And screw George and Imani—they’re bums. Speaking of Imani, I hope her grades improved this year. Right now, it’s the day Mommy is getting ready for that speech seminar at Auntie Alice’s event. I don’t know how it turns out, but let’s hope it’s just a quick, boring two hours and done. I’m excited for so much—classes at Anoka, the retake of the ACTs (not SATs), and just good grades overall. I hope we ended the year as straight-A students. Because girl, if you got a B, I’d crash. But if you did, it’s okay—as long as it wasn’t a C. And if it was a C or B... well, let’s just say I’d be tempted to come back and strangle you. Just joking. Unless you actually did it. Kidding. Unless you did. You know? Also, I know you probably slayed at prom. If you didn’t show up in that tailored, customized African dress, I’d be soul-raged. Even if you and Lorenzo didn’t have matching outfits for homecoming or Snow Days, it’s okay—he still doesn’t know anyway. I just hope you got to experience some school dances this year. All is well. All is good. And I hope you’re ready for college. Love From you (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Ray ♥ 17 𝔅𝔲𝔱𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔣𝔩𝔶 – 𝔘𝔐ℑ P.S I actally luv u so much even if I don´t feel that rn GOOD LUCK Ya need it I adorn u