I guess it's that time of the year when I grow up a year older.
A letter to the girl who only has a few more hours before officially turning nineteen,
잘 했어 jal haess-eo [you did great]
I am proud of where you are now, honestly. Looking back, it wasn't all rainbows and confetti, there were traumas and falling in the deep of huge waves and thunders. But most of all, I am proud of how you overcame it all. Of how you stood there in fear then stepping forward for braveness. How you entered that zoom meeting and spilled the truth, how you entered the room of virus and made it out safely with your Momma. How you took care and became the Ate you are. How you carried yourself in a prestigious school and started with your chin up. How you didn't give up despite it all.
Congratulations, Ila. You made it this far and you know that you didn't come this far to only come this far.
Keep the fire burning, keep your head up high. All will be alright in time, days will fly so fast you wouldn't notice it came by.
I'll just be right here, self. Watching you stare at the mountains and oceans you've conquered because you did not give up. One day, you'll be seeing what happens because you didn't give up and I'll watch it with you, self.
Happy nineteenth self, jal haess-eo.