August 5th, 2025: Then/Now

When asked about my first memory of writing:

This could not have been my first time writing, but it must have been the first time I've written something close to my heart, as I cannot recall much from back then and I still remember this: a page in my second grade (or maybe first grade, I'm not too sure) writing binder, with the simple prompt to "write about a friend," or something along those lines. The prompt did not say "write about a friend that you will hold close to you for the next fifteen years and beyond," but lucky for me, I did that anyway.

I found the binder, years later, seeing the name "Sydney" written as the title in my second grade (first grade?) handwriting. I read my own words again in high school, when Sydney and I would always talk about Greta Gerwig movies and summery romance books and the quotes floating around on our Pinterest boards. A time capsule of our friendship sat there in my closet, as I prepared to move out of the house that was two minutes from her's.

The other night she texted me to say that she was thinking of lessons to teach to her elementary school students, lessons of poetry and descriptive writing and imagery. Later, I will text her to tell her I was thinking about our second (first?) grade writing binders. Later I will tell her that I am writing about her once again.