I read that this trend originated on Tiktok (which I do not have) and I had every intention of making a trendy little video (*reel) for insta... but I got very sidetracked. It turns out said "i met my younger self for coffee" trend originated from a really lovely therapeutic poem by Jennae Cecelia.


I decided to write my own. And then I couldn't stop. So no trending reel for me, but instead a very non-specific vulnerability deep dive into my version of meeting with my 15 years younger self. Enjoy :)


I met my younger self for coffee. She was late, I was 10 minutes early.


She was a size 0 with unnaturally dark brown hair, straightened. Heavy on the eye makeup.

I’m 5 surgeries and 2 kids tired, and it shows. I prefer to keep my barely lightened hair naturally wavy and have perfected my “no makeup makeup.”


She shyly wonders if she actually won a (flute) audition or if she’s content being a homemaker. I tell her she doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to be a wife and mother, a successful musician, a soldier, and Then bootstrap an incredible business together single-handedly. Honestly, we’re pretty badass.

I tell her we got that “if I were brave” huge floral tattoo we saved so many years ago, and a lot more. And that funny enough, those tattoos are what made us genuinely comfortable in our own skin.


She was an introverted people pleaser. A musician, NOT an artist. She so desperately tried to fit in and wonders if we found somewhere we belong.

I tell her we’re a soulful artist. We love getting out there but also know when we need to retreat to recharge. We crave genuine connections but know we’re not for everyone…and not everyone is for us. We thrive in the quiet of history and art and have created a home we’re proud of.


She drinks Pepsi from a can or Coke from a fountain. I love a good dry white or sparkling water.


She wonders if she managed to stay skinny and in shape, which is Very important to her. I tell her she will face more physical pain than she realizes is possible and we’re proud to be her no matter how curvy we are. But sometimes we still struggle looking in the mirror. The kids consider us a comfy safe space, and that’s a pretty great success.


She hopes she will meet her future husband in college so society will consider her a success. I tell her we did (in grad school), but life might not really begin until 35…


She’s a flutist and has never wanted to do anything else.

I’m a full time photographer and more fulfilled than ever.


-Paige