Unplanned

Dear Younger Me,

I ran into an old friend yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, the art festival was sweet, but unexpectedly running into her was the highlight of the event for me. 

I started updating her on random stories going on in my life and all she had to say was, “Please say you are writing this down.” My journals have stories falling off the pages, but I thought I would continue telling you what happened after my marathon that I told you about in the previous letter.

Post race, I was a bit tired… We were on a trip so still wanted to get out. Sam and I went down to Laguna Beach, my body was wiped, so I sat outside a pizza shop while my sister ordered a few slices. 

Meanwhile, some boys who just finished a little 10-mile hike asked to sit by me. I didn’t own the bench so I shared. One showed a bit more interest and started chatting for a bit. Next thing I know he’s asking if after he drives his friends home if he could take me on a date that night. 

I said, “No, I’m tired.”

“Are you free tomorrow night?”

“I don’t have plans, but we’re going to Venice tomorrow and won’t be in Orange County anymore.”

Without missing a beat, “I can make that work.”

24 hours later this man has set up a romantic picnic with flowers on the beach and saying he has another surprise… We ate and chatted, next thing I know I’m in an orange sports car going down Hollywood Boulevard to go to the Hollywood Bowl. I thought, “Well, today has been a story.”

The man continued to try and pursue me, even on this blog… and then bought plane tickets to fly me out for a second date. I actually had people convince me to get on the plane… no one had to convince me when I decided that I did not need to get to know him any more and I bought an early flight home. (disclaimer: I wish the best for him, but just not a fit for me)

In the middle of date two, I had a layover in Chicago. Casually, as I was catching up on Love Island, a sweet guy said he saw my smile and asked to sit with me. Over our three hours of delays, I had this conversation that led to me finding my new penpal, not to name drop but if you saw a sitcom about a paper company then you know the name. 

From running into a friend at an art festival, getting to experience the life of a local in LA for an evening to a layover, I realized none of it was planned. A week in my life may sound chaotic. You don’t need to force life to happen, if you show up then you will experience beauty and joy beyond anything manufactured. 

Have you ever searched for something and the moment you stop trying to force it, it just shows up? Have you ever spontaneously just gone somewhere and it turned out to be better than what you could have planned anyways? 

I am a student in life right now. I am just wondering, maybe not having answers/needing to have it mapped out is actually the path I personally desire. Maybe, I want to wander and embrace the vibrance/fullness of life waiting in the unplanned. 

Maybe you just need to know, “It’s okay to go one step at a time. Enjoy the journey.”

Thanks, for giving me the freedom to grow and process with you. 

With Love,

Older You