My very first memory is from when I lived in Durham, NC. I was about two or three years old and we lived in a house with a large, wooden back deck. I used to love to run around barefoot and would often end up with lots of splinters in my feet. My first solid memory is of me crying, while my mom carefully extracted the wooden splinters from my little feet.

Fast forward a year or two and we’re back living in Austin. I’m staying with my aunt and uncle and cousins, while my parents are in the hospital. They came back with my little brother. I remember just loving being a big sibling, feeling so proud of my little brother. I’m still proud of him. He’s a musician in Austin and I will never let him forget how I was the one who started out teaching him how to play guitar and sing.

One of my more recent “core” memories is living in my first apartment and adopting my first pet as an adult, a cat named Dahlia. I adopted her from Austin Pets Alive! the day before my 26th birthday. I’ve gone on about her in length before, but I would just like to reiterate how amazing she is and how grateful I am for her.

I remember a lot of things from over the years, ranging from embarrassing moments to happy ones to even innocuous things that no one else would remember.

I’m turning 28 years old this April and I can’t tell you how glad I am to leave 27 behind. It was a rough year. Some good things, of course, but a lot of challenges and changes. I’m looking forward to new experiences and meeting new people and trying new things.

One piece of advice I’d give to anyone who asked for it would be to take more pictures. I used to be very camera shy and self conscious and I regret that I don’t have more physical memories of myself at certain events or with friends. I’d give a lot to see more of my teenage self, awkward emo phase (it’s not a phase, mom!) and all.

If I could go back in time and talk to my younger self, one thing I’d say is don’t be afraid to be who you are. Don’t be afraid to be loud and take up space. Don’t be afraid to take up people’s time and energy, if they offer it, because you’re worth it.

I think a lot about what I would do differently if I could go back in time, but in the end it doesn’t matter. I’m very proud to be where I am now and all of my choices that led to this point.

I’m looking forward to being 28. Some will look at that and think about how young I am and how I have so much ahead of me. Some will look at that and think about how much I’ve lived through already. Whatever the case is, I’m excited for growth and change and experiences I will achieve.

Brown is a reporter for the Hays Free Press/ News-Dispatch. He can be reached by emailing mikey@haysfreepress.com.