A message for their 18th birthday: 12 prompts for a video they'll watch as an adult
Record it now, while they're small or not so small. Set it to arrive on their 18th birthday. A one-line example for each prompt.
Describe who they are today, at the age they are now.
“You're six. You negotiate bedtime like a lawyer and you're winning.”
Record with this prompt →What do you hope eighteen feels like for them?
“Big and a little scary, with people around you who make it feel smaller.”
Record with this prompt →What were you doing at eighteen?
“Working at a garage, sure I'd never leave town. I left two years later.”
Record with this prompt →What do you want them to know about choosing what comes next?
“You can change your mind. Several times. That's not failing, that's steering.”
Record with this prompt →What is one thing you hope they still do?
“Sing in the car. Loudly. Wrong words and all.”
Record with this prompt →What should they know about money, from you?
“Pay yourself first, even if it's five dollars. And buy the good shoes.”
Record with this prompt →What should they know about love and friendship?
“Pick the people who are kind when it costs them something.”
Record with this prompt →What is a mistake you hope they're allowed to make?
“The wrong major. The bad haircut. The trip you can't quite afford.”
Record with this prompt →
What family story should they carry into adulthood?
“Your great-grandfather arrived with one suitcase and a trumpet. The trumpet is in the attic.”
Record with this prompt →What is something you want to tell them adult to adult?
“I was scared a lot of the time. I did it anyway. So will you.”
Record with this prompt →Where should they go, at least once?
“The lake in October, early, before anyone else is up.”
Record with this prompt →What would you say to them on the morning of their 18th birthday?
“Happy birthday. I'm so proud of you. Go eat too much cake.”
Record with this prompt →
A few tips before you press record
- Say today's date and their age at the start. It becomes part of the gift.
- Describe something ordinary about right now. In twelve years it won't be ordinary.
- Set the delivery date to their 18th birthday. If it's released earlier, we hold it safely until then.