About Louis

A letter I wrote to my future self
(Louis, September 2025)

Dear Louis,

Right now you're 17and you're beginning your senior year of high school. You have big dreams and you are blessed to have many people around who support and care for you.

You are in a transition phase. Life has made you look ahead of you and explore what you want to do in the future but a huge part of you isn't willing to accept that in less than a year you will be done with high school, your name being called as you stand up to shake Henry's hand and receive your high school diploma. You want to cherish this last year: the sports, the many traditions, and of course, your Chapel* :)

You're also looking forward to turning 18. That age where you can officially vote, get a tattoo, gamble, and even buy a house. Adulthood is just around the corner.

Future me, I am so curious to find out what you've become. Maybe you're now super wise and you've decided to grow a long beard. Regardless, here are some things I want you to remember:

• Stay curious. You've always asked questions, sometimes too many, but it's one of your best qualities. Don't stop talking to strangers, mentors, teachers, and the occasional random old man who just really wants to tell you his life story.
• Run toward challenges. From the soccer field to your various     projects, you've found that the harder something is, the more it's worth doing.
• And finally, keep your people close. The ones who show up for     you in the small moments, the teammates who pushed you to grow, the mentors who believed in you, and of course Mom, Dad, and Alaric-don't let them drift away just because life gets busy.

Future Me, I don't know if you've 'made it' - whatever that means-but I do know this:

If you've achieved everything you've possibly dreamed of but lost your sense of wonder, start over. If you've failed spectacularly, celebrate—it means you tried. And if you ever feel stuck, remember the kid who stood here, reading this letter to an entire school, feeling equal parts nervous and excited about the years ahead.

So here's my challenge to you: Keep saying yes. Yes to the uncomfortable and yes to the intimidating. Because the best parts of life have always come when you decided the answer was yes... Until then, keep running, keep learning, and keep asking questions.

My name is Louis Montagut.