You'll never be here again.

Thank you, Lord, for finally sending sunshine back to Auburn, Alabama! After what feels like a lifetime of cloudy days, I spent yesterday afternoon taking full advantage of the gift, lying on Samford Lawn with a few close friends.

In full transparency, yesterday was a rough day. My mind was all over the place and I wasn't exactly feeling myself. So when a student approached my friend and I asking for our best piece of advice, I couldn't help but feel like I was completely useless when it came to offering anything meaningful. He explained that he was working on a personal project and had been asking different students for their best piece of advice.

Now on any given day I would THRIVE with a question like that, but it just wasn't that kind of day for me. I inevitably scribbled down a quote that likely can be found on a cringey sign within your local hobby lobby.

Being the over thinker I am I haven't stopped thinking about what I should've said. So as an outlet, I've decided to take today's blog as an opportunity to share the message I should've written in that notebook.

---

THE SEASON YOU'RE LIVING IS IRREPLACEABLE

When I was in preschool I wanted to be in elementary school

I can still recall standing in the driveway with my mom, watching my sisters climb onto the yellow school bus, off to an entire day of learning. I couldn't help but be jealous every time they left. Sure, I got to spend all day with my mom, but all I wanted was to be in elementary school like my older sisters. I couldn't wait for what was next.

When I got to elementary school I wanted to be in middle school

I can remember so clearly one morning, in first grade, getting up before my mom came to wake me and hiding under my bed, hoping she wouldn't make me go to school. Elementary school was fun, but my eyes were already on middle school. I'd get to wear skirt uniforms instead of the usual plaid dresses. My friends would decorate my locker on my birthday. My parents would drop my friends off at places instead of coming with every time. Middle school would be the real deal.

When I was in middle school I wanted to be in high school

Catherine braided Claire's hair as she got ready for her football game. She looked so grown up. She had cool friends. She had freedom. High school would be the place where I'd finally get the freedom I craved.

When I was in high school I wanted to be in college

High school finally arrived, and while I had fun, I was still fixated on the next chapter. College would be it. It would bring clarity, certainty, and contentment. In college, I would have everything finally figured out.

---

Dear boy who handed me the notebook,

I am aware you likely didn't look twice at the advice I wrote. You probably moved on to the next student and never gave it a second thought. But I have thought about it far more than I care to admit. So here's what I wish I would've said if I was given a second chance.

You might be having the best year of your life, or maybe you're struggling to simply get through the day. But wherever you are, recognize you'll never be exactly here again.

Take a moment to look at where your feet are planted. The people that you are blessed to stand beside. Recognize that this moment is fleeting. You are never going to be in this exact moment again.

I'll never get back the one-on-one time I had making pancakes with my mom when I was in preschool. I'll never get to bike around my neighborhood for an entire day with my childhood friends. I'll never be on the middle school dance team with all my best friends again. There will never be another late-night drive home after a football win with my high school friends. But most importantly, I will never be where I am in this moment again.

I should've reacted differently yesterday. Instead of feeling like I had nothing valuable to offer, I should've recognized the value in that single interaction. There I was, sitting beside a girl I didn't even know a few months ago, yet can't imagine life without. I was studying for a tough exam that will prepare me for the future I desire. And despite all the small worries I had at that moment, they seem so insignificant just a day later.

I guess what I'm trying to say is to take every season for what it is. Appreciate what is in front of you. Life moves fast as it is, why rush it?

After all, you'll never be here again!