A decade since this photo was taken…

She had no idea what was coming—the mistakes she would make, the mountains she would climb, the depth of emotions she would feel. How much would change, over and over again. She knew nothing.

At only 18, she was certain naivety was a curse—eager to break free from the handcuffs of childhood at the earliest chance. She could not yet see the beauty in her innocence, carelesness, and freedom – a gift she rushed to discard.

She did not know that a year into college she would move from Nashville to Minnesota, beginning her journey with sobriety. She did not know about the friendships waiting just beyond the ones she clung to so tightly -holding a thorn bush with an iron fist.

She did not know about the lover who would come three years later, only to break her heart into a million pieces. Pieces she would carefully gather and repair on her own.

She never could have imagined the many moves she’d make, the losses she’d endure, the gains she’d celebrate, or the moments of joy that would light her path.

All she wanted was to write music… well, darling, we do. We write music, we write blogs, we write poetry books and we write case briefs because you are also about to become an attorney. You do a lot, hun… You have friends that love you, a partner who celebrates you, you move through life with grace, and you had no idea it was waiting. Thank you for not giving up.

I hope that ten years from now, I’ll look back at who I am today with the same tenderness, gratitude, and pride that I view the girl in the photo with.

If you feel inclined to share, I’d love to hear what you are proud of yourself for over the last decade…

xx Koli