The Year that She Graduates
Dear Dad,
Where did 2025 go?
It surely came and went in a lot of ways, but was once again another year that showed me how valuable time is. Whether this became more clear through seeing grandma and grandpa age or planning to graduate early, time has truly seemed to fly much quicker this year. To prove this, allow me to reflect on some core memories from 2025:
I sorted out my senior year living arrangement and became an RA! With this left behind one of the most stressful times of college
Turned 20 and also left behind those teenage years :’)
Started living by myself in my own apartment. Became more independent and self-aware than ever
Missed home more than ever before, but in a different way than previously—with more loneliness, and feeling unsafe
Made Lauren’s Letters into something so much more special than I truly ever thought it would be, with so many friends and family supporting :)
Ran my very first races! Lots of 5ks, and ended the year off with the 10-mile Rocky Run
Visited Charleston, SC, with my best friend, and soon became my dream place <3
Became more confident in myself and my appearance
Completed my first corporate-style internship in the town I grew up in
Visited my dream job’s corporate headquarters and interviewed (hey URBN!)
Within these moments, many tears, laughs, heartbreaks, and blessings were made, but not one ounce of me would do something differently. So no matter how I feel about this past year that came and went, living it with no regrets to me means it was a year well spent.
With this, let’s look at some 2026 resolutions shall we!:
Run a half marathon (may be changing this one to marathon—we’ll see how this goes)
Have a second chance to live with people who make me feel valued, heard, cared for, and loved
Move to a completely different place and explore, explore, explore
Make something more out of Lauren’s Letters (sell journals perhaps?)
Learn how to cook healthy meals :p
Healthy snacking!
Dress more from my closet or through second-hand items over spending
Earn a salary (if no more schooling)
Pursue more learning about myself through academics (if no salary)
No sweet treats or Instagram during Lent (wish me luck!)
GRADUATE (aka pass last 5 classes)
Turn 21 🥂
If 2025 was a breeze, part of me is afraid to see what 2026 has in store…but in the best way possible. Here’s to another year of telling my stories to you and others, while advocating for positivity and growth in the process. Happy New Year Dad <3
Your senior (what),
Lauren Tauber
