Just a heads up

Dear Me,

As I crack my knuckles and begin to type, memories of our senior year come flooding back to me like a river unleashed. It was a time of great confusion, when you struggled to find your place in the world. Your confidence, or lack thereof, was a constant shadow that followed you wherever you went. You couldn't see your own potential, blinded as you were by your own doubts and insecurities.

I know you're still reeling from the breakup with Tera, and you're wondering if it was the right decision. You're second-guessing yourself, thinking about what might have been. But I want you to know that it was the right choice. Love is a fickle thing, and it cannot be forced. It's better to end a relationship that is not based on love than to continue down a path that will only lead to heartache.

Life isn't easy. You're going to face a lot of challenges, and you won't always succeed. You may have high hopes for yourself because it's senior year, but reality has a way of crushing expectations. You'll stumble, you'll fall, and you'll wonder if you're ever going to make something of yourself. But here's the thing, Nathan - you can't give up. You have to fight tooth and nail for everything you want, and even then, success is not guaranteed.

Nathan, life in a small town like Sebring can be tough. The world outside seems vast and full of opportunities, while the town itself can feel small and suffocating. There's a reason why they call Sebring the black hole of Florida. It feels like you'll never escape, and I get that. Just make sure that on your grand exit you remember the people that poured into you. They're worth it, and they're stuck in Sebring too.

When you look back on your senior year, you'll see that things were not as they seemed. You'll realize that the world is not always fair, and people are not always kind. You'll miss those carefree nights that you had with your friends. You'll wish you had a thousand more days like this one:

Cherish those moments with those guys - you probably won't keep in touch. Remember the faces of the people you pass, remember the laughter and the tears, remember the moments that make up your time here. It's not just the big moments that matter, but also the small ones, the quiet moments when you were alone with your thoughts, the times when you found joy in the simplest things. Like Icees from Circle K after soccer.

You're gonna go through a phase where all you'll want to do is wear a vest and tie. Remember that you live in Florida, and that's just silly. Say it with me, "T-shirt and shorts".

Hey, remember that time that you got in that car wreck, and the police officer asked if you wanted to go the hospital and you said "No, I'm fine"? Yeah, you weren't fine. We got fractured ribs from that apparently. You won't find that out for a while, but that's why your side hearts when you cough too hard sometimes.

Completely unrelated, we never get over our fear of clowns.

You're going to think, for an unreasonable amount of time that your haircut looks good. It doesn't. Everyone is lying to you. Just, for the love of God, get a haircut. Look at yourself man.

If you don't hear this from me you probably won't believe it, but in the years to come, you'll have more regrets than just the ones about Tera and Sharon. There will be moments when you could have been kinder, braver, more generous, and you'll miss those opportunities.

There will be times when you'll hurt people you love, and times when you'll be hurt by those closest to you. You'll make mistakes, and sometimes they'll have lasting consequences. Welcome to being human. You eventually learn to forgive yourself. Honestly we're still working on that.

I know that even now, you're feeling the thirst for travel deep in your bones. And let me tell you, that thirst never quite goes away. You'll go on many adventures in your life, and see so many beautiful places, but that wanderlust will always linger in the back of your mind. There will always be a part of you that longs to be out exploring the world, discovering new cultures and meeting new people.

Just a heads up, you're gonna see the world. It'll be in a military uniform, but you'll see it. You'll see it's ugly, and it's beautiful and sometimes they'll look the same.

Who would have thought that the shy, introverted kid from the small town would end up living as a Marine, traveling the world, and writing letters to their younger self? Certainly not me.

But here we are, and I have to say, you've turned out pretty okay. Sure, there were some bumps in the road, but who hasn't had a few detours on their path to greatness?

As for me, I'm doing alright. I'm still chasing adventure, but these days I'm a little more cautious. I've learned that sometimes the greatest adventures are the ones you take in your own backyard, with a good book and a cup of tea.

So, take it from me, Nathan: Take risks, make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun. And if all else fails, just remember: at least you're not being chased by a horde of clowns.

Sincerely,

Your older, wiser, better-looking, more humble self. With a better haircut.