To the new graduate

The world is a lot bigger with a lot more views and perspectives and stories than you probably realize or know yet. At 32, with kids of my own, I'm still learning and growing myself and the older I get, the more I realize how much there is still to learn. Be open to those stories and to learning from others. Be open to changing your mind about some key things you've held dear. At the same time, hold onto those core beliefs you have and know that God is big enough for your questions, your doubts, your considerations, your mistakes, your hurts, your healing, and your heart, mind, and soul. As you venture out into the world and continue deciding who you are and what you want out of life and what you'll do with the challenges you'll face, remember that you are loved, and not just because of falling in line with the right things, but because of who you are, regardless of anything else. You are loved.

<3
Melanie