December 13, 2012

Dear Matthew,

First off I would like to congratulate you on your hardwork and I'm happy that you're continuing to strive for success. To better help you out going forward I have some news, some bad, some good, that I think can really help you change your future for the better. The good news is you're going to college kid, and you won't have to pay a dime. The bad news is that the college wasn't your first choice and during your first semester you almost lose your opportunity altogether. You manage to keep your scholarship and get on with school, but your life changes so drastically from all that you're accustomed to now as you read this letter. I won't reveal too much, but your faith will be tested and you're going to experience things that no one you know has every experienced before. Your stubbornness will keep you from asking for help and at one point I'm not even sure how you kept money in your pocket or didn't just simply give up. I'm glad you held on kid, I really am.

I know you barely have friends now but that circle is about to get even smaller, kid. In another year you'll be cruising through college, and some of those former friends will be cruising through diapers. You're gonna meet two good guys, and even though you never ask for the help, they're just going to do it because you guys are like brothers. The dating scene just isn't your thing, buddy, and the relationships are going to be a struggle for you. When you realize that you're going to work harder than you probably ever have -- which I still don't think is your best -- and the pieces of the puzzle are really going to come together.

You're going to get overlooked way more than you would think and honestly I'm not even really sure why. While you'll do great things there are going to be a few people that continue to get more looks than you do but you'll continue working hard. My biggest piece of advice to you would be to embrace change. The condition that you develop isn't necessarily your fault, but by embracing the inevitable changes early on I think you might be able to shorten that transitioning period and perhaps not miss out on some of the opportunities that you'll earn. You're going to apply for about 200 opportunities and literally only get selected for about 20. At one point you're going to have to turn down what I think would be life changing opportunities. Nevertheless, if you just keep that same drive that you had on this night before your 18th birthday I'm confident that you will do things that even I can't predict.

I think that covers it for now since I'm only four years ahead of you, and there's still so much to be figured out. I'm not saying that you have a bad life in the future but you can reshape it and make it even better than it is now, trust me I've seen it. This saying won't mean much to you now but, "Anything lost can be found except time wasted." You live by this creed already and don't even know it. But that's all for now, good luck kid see you in a few years.

Regards,

The man you're becoming

P.S. This is me looking back at your future. Not looking too bad, kid.