To My Future Daughter
April 17th, 2025
Writer: Scott Tran
Editor: Haley Gagerman
Dear Future Daughter,
By the time you read this, you’ll have made your freshman dorm room feel like home, full of decorations that reflect your spirit and a closet brimming with outfits that help you express exactly who you are.
You’ll experience a flux of emotions, from nervousness to excitement. But I want you to know you are ready to shape this new reality into something special.
I’ve always felt more emotionally aligned with women than men. That’s probably because I was raised in a world full of them—my mom, grandma, sisters, aunts, and cousins. Their presence always made me feel grounded and understood, especially your grandma. No, I wasn’t a mama’s boy—I had my agency, and so will you.
Your grandma worked as a cosmetologist, which is an incredible career. It’s both demanding and rewarding because she blends creativity and communication to create an excellent client experience. As she beautifies her clients, she opens a portal to humanity—a portal leading to fascinating personalities, inspirational experiences, and insightful lessons.
During our FaceTime calls, I’m shaped by the stories she shares from her clients and her life. They remind me that I, too, can leave a mark on this world. I’ve always been dedicated to helping others succeed and realize their goals. Growing up around women who expressed strength through service, creativity, and intention taught me to recognize and admire those same traits in others. So, even though I didn’t interact much with college women during my time at the University of Michigan, the ones I did surround myself with taught me so much, simply through the way they moved, led, and lifted others.
Let me tell you about them and how they will enrich your college experience and inspire you to make an impact, too!
Your first girlfriends will laugh with you as you fumble up and down stairs, dazed by your first jungle juice. But that’s just the beginning of all the laughs that will last a lifetime. You’ll share silly moments with brilliant women as you sit together, baffled after an exam. And these same women will cheer for you when you succeed, no matter how small the win may seem.
You’ll join clubs and organizations where you’ll find like-minded women who’ll enjoy your existence and make you feel seen. You’ll watch them grow into leaders, take on more responsibility, or build community through small acts of kindness. You’ll realize that the world is better because they’re in it—and so are you.
College won’t be without its challenges. But you’ll have women in your corner, helping you grow through what you go through. And I hope you know that you can be an inspiration, too! After all, this letter was sparked by a single sentence written by a college girl.
So step outside that dorm room and into the life waiting for you. It’s going to be unforgettable—and so are you.
Just like you, I’m starting a new chapter of my own. I’m feeling the same mix of nerves and excitement. But I’m stepping forward confidently—because the women in my life have shaped me into someone I’m proud to be. And now, I get to help shape your future.
I’m so excited to support you on your journey.
Love you with my entire heart and soul,
Dad
