“February 11, 1996

I was sitting here pondering love. The whole idea – everything.

Then I was thinking that I love my grandparents, but it is so hard for me to tell them.

Then I thought about my mom. It is even a little awkward to say “I love you” to her.

Then I wondered, “Why is that?”

I came to this. It is harder to say “I love you” to the people you really do love.

Why? I think it is probably that deep down somewhere inside you [is the] fear that they don’t/won’t love you back…”

• Mia C., Writer (age 18)

This is an actual excerpt from my diary from 1996. This passage stuck out to me as I was reading through it today. Even though it might be written a little immaturely, I think 18-year-old me was right about this.