What I’d tell my 17-year-old self at high school graduation

30 years ago, on the first Friday night in June, I graduated from high school. Looking back through my senior yearbook, I remember the girl who rode the wave of feeling confident and insecure. A girl who loved to perform, but deeper than that, longed for connection and found it in extracurricular activities and leadership roles.

I chuckle at the two-page spread where I’m sweaty and wearing a balloon hat. The corresponding text that takes a peek into my future is funny and pretty close to accurate.

I discover pages reserved for best friends to write their long farewells. They talk about how we'll stay in touch through college, marriage, children, retirement.

30 years later, we're still close.

At the time, I didn’t really know what my future would hold.

In a few months, I’d go off to college and switch my major at orientation. I’d transfer schools, meet my future husband in a journalism class, work in television news, leave that career, and rewrite my definition of success.

I’d start a family. Today, my oldest child is marching towards his own graduation. Only two more summers and two school years to go.

What I’d say to my 17-year-old self:

If I could tell my 17-year-old self anything, I’d tell her that she has friends and mentors who see her for who she really is, that she doesn’t have to try so hard for the love that’s already hers.

I’d tell her that her feelings are valid. I’d tell her that she can trust herself. And, I’d remind her that the path is not linear.

I'd say, "If things go off course it doesn’t mean you're doing it wrong. It means you’re living."

I'd tell her there's no need to rush, that 30 years from now, she won’t feel old. In many ways she’ll feel like she's just getting started.

I’d tell her that's she's doing great. And one day, she’ll finally grow out her bangs, and she'll be so glad she did.