as time goes on, and the years keep passing by, photos look less like achievements and more like ‘i was in the middle of learning this lesson when this picture was taken’. how lucky i feel. i was surrounded by love for yet another year, though never without its tough lessons, of course. nothing can fully capture just how fortunate i feel. how fortunate i feel to get to represent young people with dreams, just like me, on the covers of magazines. how fortunate i feel to be in love with my best friend in the whole world. how fortunate i feel to have the best team of support as i navigate this wacky world. how fortunate i feel to have travelled to so many new places with so many new friends. how fortunate i feel to get giddy at the mere sight of a wishing well because i’m snow freakin’ white. how fortunate i feel to have met incredible directors (francis lawrence, who also directed the ‘loosen up my buttons babe’ music video, famously) (not pictured: marc webb, director of the ‘wake up’ music video, famously). how fortunate i feel to be recognized for the hard work i do off screen, and on. how fortunate i feel to hold so much love in my spaghetti noodle arms, sometimes too tightly. sometimes i accidentally hold on too tight and let some go. and i have. but i am learning to have grace with myself as i grow. as i grow through my selfish tendencies, as i grow through my empathy, as i grow through it all. how fortunate i am to still learn each day. gratitude for 2022. grace for 2023. happy new year. i love you. you have value. be kind.