As I was running around with my phone held up to capture video for social media and trying to stay out of the professional photographers’ way yesterday, it wasn’t lost on me that ten years ago I was sitting in one of those seats at my own undergraduate Commencement. Well, not those exact seats, as the university now holds graduation ceremonies at the convention center in the city instead of the fieldhouse on campus, but you get it.

It’s been ten years since I wore my royal blue cap and gown and walked across the stage to get my Bachelor of Arts degree and start my first real job just a few weeks later. I’m still the same girl who wore a romper under my gown so I could hold granola bars in my pockets to snack on during the ceremony, and I’m still the same girl who wondered what was going to happen as I ventured out into the “real world” beyond those confines of the 215 acres of campus.

If you asked 2016 Becky if she wanted to know where she’d be in ten years, I can guarantee she would say 100% yes, tell me everything. I was sort of confident and sort of scared but ready to learn and just try my best. But, in my position now, looking back, I’d tell her no, that I wasn’t going to tell her anything—just that things will be good, things will be bad, but you will end up right where you need to be at the right times.

I could go through and list everything I’ve done (most of which you can honestly read about on my blog here) since 2016, but I wanted to take a different approach to this post because, as probably cruel as it sounds, I wouldn’t tell past me anything.

Why?

Because I wouldn’t want to ruin any of the surprises, the good things that come along—some even when I least expect them. I’ve had so many good things—big and small—happen to me, and I would want to experience those in real time as they happen. I worked so hard to get where I was (and am now), and I could see that hard work pay off. And as for the bad stuff? Although it would have been nice to get a heads-up about all that comes with 2020, sometimes you have to go through the hard times and the struggles to get to the other side. I’m a believer in the universe (since I’m not religious)—that there’s something bigger out there that will bring us where we’re supposed to be or do what we’re supposed to do.

Looking at where I am now, ten years later, without giving 2016 Becky too much information, I really think that past version of me would be very happy with where I am now at almost 32 years old: I own my own condo, I’m in a great relationship and live with my boyfriend, I feel confident in my job, I’m close with my parents, and I own a cat who I love so much. I don’t think I could really ask for much more at the moment. There were ups and downs to get here, but I’m glad this is where I ended up.

Commencements probably don’t register on most people’s radars when May rolls around, unless you know someone graduating. I’ve been working in the marketing department at my alma mater for the past (almost) eight years and have worked the ceremonies every year since 2019. It always feels like a magical day, and even if you don’t know any of the students, you’re just as proud of them as their families are. I’m probably in a unique position since I spent years of my life at the same institution as them (and now work there as an employee), and I couldn’t imagine myself at any other school for my Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.

So my final advice to 2016 Becky? Just hang in there—you’ll be where you’re supposed to be and do what you’re supposed to, and remember to enjoy the little things along the way. (And maybe look into some medical masks and hand sanitizer. Don’t ask why, just trust me.)