Dear 23-year old self,

Hello.

I'm your 33-year old future self. Surprised? Yeah. I know, you'll wonder why. This is because of the Steemit Time Machine. But, yeah, you're right, I just made it up. This letter is about you and me. The past and the future. It's just an imagination, I know, it's impossible to happen. But I will make it happen now.

I am living in the different place than where you are right now. I am married to the same man you're loving presently. In fact, I we already have a child. Do you want to know about your future more? I know, you'd like that. However, brace yourself, it's not all good news. Spoiler alert: you'll definitely cry at the end. Don't worry, let's start with the good news first.

10 years. Sigh. So much has had happened.

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_{A month before I turn 23 years old.}

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I know you are already working right now. In fact, you've started working since you are 17 to support yourself to college. I know that your teenage years are full of disappointments and heartaches due to the financial difficulties in your family. However, you didn't stop. You have pursued your dreams and worked hard. You have promised yourself that you'll finish college and help your family. You're the eldest and you have that unwritten obligation to help. I know your family did not ask anything from you but you obliged. You love them. So much.

I'm so glad that when you are 21, after juggling your work schedules and school works, you're able to get your diploma. I know that after what you've been through, you've proven the doubters wrong.

Now at 23, you're still on the same field that you love - the media. I'm so glad that you are now in a better company for 2 years, after your college graduation. I know you missed your work on the radio but writing in the newspaper gives you more free time. No more going to work at dawn. Yeah, I know it's fun. But here's the news: you'll leave after 2 years. At the age of 25, you'll work somewhere else. How does this happened? Just wait and see.

So young but you're already tied with your boyfriend. You we're together since college. You always fight, I know. For how many times have you both decided to split up? After the almost 3 years in the relationship, you're still together. I know, it's love and no one can ever question that. Here's the news: That man, the man you constantly fight with, will become your lifelong partner. But did you know that after a year he'll leave you for another country? He'll work abroad.

Let me tell you, your present boyfriend right now will remain loyal to you. Keep him. Trust him despite the long distance relationship you'll experience after a year. After three years, he'll marry you but in a different place. A place that you've never imagined right now. One day, he'll convince you to work abroad, too. With him.

I know, you love your current job but one day, when your youngest will have to go to college, you will have to do something so that you can support him. You didn't want him to be a working student like you or his older brother. You know how hard it is and you'll do whatever it takes for him to study without any hassle. That's when you'll accept your boyfriend's offer and earn a living abroad. Your work in other country will be different from your present designation but you'll do your best for an augmented income.

Ditch your wedding day fantasies because you and your boyfriend will opt for a simple wedding ceremony in the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. However, there's a surprise: you'll be marrying a new architect as he'll pass the architecture licensure examination, 2 months before your wedding. I know you'll be extremely proud with the man you love!

_{January 2011. We tied the knot.}

However, you will only work abroad for 2 years. You'll get pregnant and you and your husband will both decide to go back to the Philippines and start your new life there with your soon to be baby.

As you will settle back in the Philippines, you'll make a small and cozy home for your family. You will give birth to a baby girl. Your home, despite the financial struggles, will be full of joy.

Do you love your mother, right? I know you do. I know, you love her very much. She'll be your most trusted person when it comes to taking care of your baby. She'll always be there, all throughout for you - from the day your child is born until she's nine months old. When your child turns 9 months, your mama will become her angel. Mama will be gone forever.

I'm crying while writing this because I just miss my mother - your mother. It's the most painful thing in this world. Losing a mother is like killing the innermost part of yourself. I miss her. So cherish her while you're still with the most important person in your life. God will take her back 6 years after. Show her more and more or you'll regret it later.

I just want you to know that even if mama will leave us, you'll gain a new member of a family. A bonus: it's a sister! Your brother, will marry a beautiful woman, inside and out. The woman, is your office mate while working abroad. Your brother, the one who doesn't have a plan in life right now will also decide to go abroad with you, with the help of your husband. He'll meet her there. Oh, you don't have to play cupid for them two for they will find their way to each other's heart.

Your youngest brother? He will graduate. Sadly, that's after mama says goodbye. Mama will not see the bunso (youngest) finish college. Mama will not see him work in a bank. Mama will not see us all succeed. And to this day, at 33, you will be very sad every single day because of it.

_{Family, January 2018. With the sister, @pingcess. Papa is so happy with his children complete.}

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Papa will remarry, 4 years after mama's death. He will be with his new wife but he will still be there for you when you need him. But... you will miss mama even more. No one can replace her, right? No one. Ever.

I don't know how to end this letter but I just want to thank you for being strong even if you're still young. I just just want you to know that I am so proud of what you are and what you've become right now. I just want you to know that even if you're still 23, you made our mother happy and proud that you are her daughter. You are her legacy. You are her life.

If you want to know how you'll be at 33? We'll you'll have a better life than what you got right now. You'll have a small business to manage and will become a full-time mother to your child. You will still have some struggles, of course. But despite the problems, you'll overcome. I know it's all because of your good decisions and your determination that lead me here. 10 years from where you are, you'll have me - a more mature woman, wiser, but still learning more about life, just like you.

Just one lesson that I just want to impart with you: life is full of mystery. You would not know what will happen next. That's why you better love and hold on tight to the people who love you dearly and make them feel important while it's not too late. Be yourself, help a lot, smile a lot, have faith and soon you'll reach your dreams.

Love,

Your 10 Year Older Self

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