A letter from November 10th, 2013

Dear FutureMe, Did we make it? Do we have our house with the big garden, apple tree, raspberry thistles, saskatoons? I hope we aren't alone, but if we are that's ok. There's no requirements for happiness, but I hope we never stop dreaming. What ever happened to the PhD idea? Right now we are debating weather or not to go for it. We can't find the right grad school and we can't find if it would be worth it financially. I know, it's a big thing. Researchers don't make as much as MD's but learning and discovering is such an important and beautiful thing. 4-5 years of work, barely scraping by, only to take on 2-3 (maybe more) post docs. Finally you get funded and you make the same as before you started. I understand if we decided to settle down instead. I'll be sending this to us for 10 years from now. A decade seemed like forever just last year, but suddenly, lately, it's been seeming like a step around the corner. When did things start moving so fast? A year is nothing, 5 years is a blink. If you aren't happy your new resolution (know, lame, those things are silly) is to take that leap, what is it? You ARE NOT sitting on your hands and never will. We are in this together, I got your back (if you get what I mean future me) you got everything in front of us. What is it we dream of now? You're 33 by now, I know sounds young, nothing wrong, totally still hip ;3 which means you have time for anything, no excuses here Missy! Well anyway, I have an idea what you'll be thinking/feeling reading this, so stop it. Stay active, explore, bring people with you or meet new friends! If you ever get kids take them exploring and teach them how crazy and wonderful science is. Show them the stars way out where no lights ruin them and whatever happens know I love you, and I hope you still love me. At least we'll have that going for us. -KH (P.S. I know how you are about pictures, always behind the camera. So here's an alright selfie from my phone. Show it off, we're smokin' ;3 This was may7th2013 You went to PF Changs and drank win and had desert with your favorite bartender Daniel, he's the one who moved to San Antonio remember? I'll try to send some more pictures later, watch your inbox!)