I met my 15 year old self for coffee
We reached the cafe right on time
Not a moment late, not a moment prior

She gave a hesitant smile
Keeping her head lowered and her gaze fixed on her feet
yet ensuring her smile remained

I asked her what she'd like to have,
she simply said she'd take whatever I offered.
I gently insisted that she pick a drink of her choice
assuring her there would be no judgement

Over coffee, she pondered aloud
"Do we grow wiser, lovelier, more proud.
Do beauty & worth come with time or are we still searching for signs?"

I smiled and softly said
"We are already enough,
Smart, beautiful, worthy, too "

She froze for a moment, her eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions
- surprise, gratitude and something softer like warmth finally reaching a place long left cold

I got up from my seat,
Walked over to her & wrapped her in a tight hug
"You are a strong and a wonderful girl"
I murmured
"Thank you for holding on, for pushing through"

"But I hope you learn to be kinder to yourself.
I hope you stop being so ******* yourself
I hope you take a moment to slow down, smell the roses and cherish little things."

"Let the world wait—there's no rush to race
Be yourself at your own pace
Love yourself, stand tall, stand free"

"No matter what happens,
life will go on and it will still be beautiful.
And I need you to know this-
You are already enough, already worthy just as you are."