🙏🏼🙏🏼

instagram.com/nathanielblow/…

I met my younger self for coffee today. We arrived almost at the same time. I saw her already inside the coffee shop, scanning the menu, and I was right behind her. We were supposed to meet 10 minutes earlier, I guess lateness is still something we’re trying to unlearn.

She stared at the menu for a while, then asked the barista, “Do you have anything else besides coffee?” I smiled. Yes, this is my younger self. I asked, “Should we just go to a proper restaurant?” She nodded quickly, and we left. Minutes later, we were seated with two glasses

She asked me how everyone was doing. Family? Fine. Everyone is trying to do well for themselves. Friends? Scattered in different places, but still present in the ways that matter. She sighed in relief. “So, life is not over?” I laughed. Far from it.

She asked me, “All those times when Mom used to say, ‘You’ll understand when you grow up’, have you understood now?” I sighed. Yes, oh. I have seen. I have understood. And trust me, when she said we’d see? She wasn’t lying. We have seen, my dear.

She looked at me and smiled, “You look good! You’re not as skinny anymore.” I laughed. “You’ll be fine. The body you desperately want to ‘grow into’ will come. And guess what? You’ll still not be completely satisfied.” But I reassured her. You are perfect as you are. You’ll

Then she asked, “All those firstborn daughter skills; taking care of everyone, running around, handling things, are they useful in real life?” I nodded. “Yes. They made us resilient. They made us responsible. They made us problem-solvers. And even though it gets overwhelming,

Then she asked, “Do you have a best friend now?” I smiled. “No, I figured along the way that I’m not really the ‘one best friend’ type. But I have amazing friends. Each one is special in their own way, and I love them all differently but deeply.” She nodded, taking that in.

“Are you still a foodie?” I burst out laughing. “Of course. But it’s no longer me calculating every penny just to buy food in school. These days, we comfortably spend our full allowance salary on food. Don’t worry, things get better.” She shook her head. “We spend WHAT?”

Then she asked, “Are you figuring things out?” I paused. Yes and no. Some things make sense now. Others? Not so much. But we’re learning, we’re evolving, and we’re doing fine.

Then she asked about relationships. “Do you have a boyfriend now?” I chuckled. Right now? No. I’ve been in nice relationships. “Of recent, I’ve had close calls, but I’m still waiting for my own person. But don’t be sad for me; I am whole, I am happy, and love will come.”

She leaned in, lowering her voice. “You and Mom… do you still fight?” I smiled. “Not as much. She’s softer now. She comes over sometimes just to see me. She still buys me things. She still nags, but you’ll come to realize she’s just a girl too, trying her best. Try to enjoy her

Then she asked, “Are you learning boundaries now?” I exhaled. “Yes. We’re learning to say no. We’re unlearning the need to overextend ourselves. It’s not perfect, but we’re getting better.”

Then she smirked, “What of your laziness? Are you still lazy?” I rolled my eyes. “Listen, we’re still lazy, but we get things done. We show up, we push through. So, it balances out.”🙂‍↔️

Then she asked, “Where are you in life?” I looked at her and smiled. “I’m in a good place. Life is still unfolding, but it is beautiful. And I know it will get even better.” She relaxed. “Good.”

Finally, she looked at me and said, “I feel lost. I don’t know what I want to do with my life. I’m just trying to figure things out.” I reached for her hand. “I know. But don’t stress. You figure it out. You do well. You move out. You afford the things you once dreamed of. You

Her eyes softened. “Really?” I nodded. “Really.” We sat in silence for a while, sipping our drinks, letting the conversation settle.👱‍♀️👧

Then, after going back and forth for a few minutes, she looked at me, then at our drinks, and smirked. “I’m hungry. Will you pay for my food?” I rolled my eyes and asked, “If it’s pasta?” She nodded quickly. We both smiled and, at the same time, called for the waiter.✨

My neck/back hurtssss, arghhhhh😭