We Made It (a birthday letter to my 23 year-old self)

My reflections on the journey, challenges, and growth that brought me to 23 years of life.

Happy Birthday!!

It’s been a tough ride, but you can probably tell that it was well worth it all in the end. Rather, this is only the beginning of a brand new chapter in your life. I bet you can feel it, too, which is why you’re much healthier now—mentally and physically.

You’ve stood up for yourself, you’ve realigned your morals and beliefs, and you’ve grown into a beautiful individual who can live and speak as she wishes with a circle of loved ones who share the same desires, all of which is certainly not an easy feat, nor without its challenges.

But we’ve only hoped for one thing: freedom. The freedom to express ourselves, the freedom to be who we are without judgment, and the freedom to live life at its fullest. And that’s what’s driven us all along.

We’ve always known how limited our time is, but when most of it has been taken from us, we’ve still managed to pull through for ourselves and for our future, as well as for everyone involved in it. We decided to show up for ourselves and our loved ones when we didn’t feel like it.

So today, let’s celebrate.

Let’s celebrate the life you’ve lived, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the dreams that you will undoubtedly set out to make a reality.

All of this is to say thank you for pushing through, despite all the hardships, all of the hurt, and all of the uncertainty. Thank you for thinking of our childhood self when the future seemed bleak. Thank you for protecting our future by growing in the present.

Happy Birthday to you. Here’s to 23 years and many more to come.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I appreciate every one of you who have continued to support me as my life changes for the better.

Until next time, take care and be well in this hectic thing called life. ☕