Last night, September 10th, I read a post on social media that stated, "18 years ago today, 3,000 people would be spending their last night with their family". I stared at my phone for seconds, repeating the words in my head. Following each curve of the letters that made up the words of a sentence that created a lump in my throat and pit in my stomach. While I sat beside my dog, Milo, with notes about the muscular skeletal system in my lap, I mindlessly scrolled on.

Today, September 11th, I revisit that post and the thoughts that came after it. I think about those 3,000 people. The fathers, granddaughters, doctors, or construction workers. I wonder what they did with their families. Maybe they had dinner together or watched a football game. Perhaps they were living by themselves and were planning to call their mother the next day. I think about how I spend some of my nights denying my brother's offer to go out to a movie to tackle my pile of homework or watching movies with Milo and eating everything in the house.

What if the victims would've known? What if they knew this was their last hours with their families? It's an unfair reality of life that you don't get to decide when these things happen. You don't know when someone's gonna text while they drive or if a shooting will happen where you are. Why can't we just know?

My frustration with the truths of life led me to a question that I want to ask you. What would you do if you knew it was your last night? This isn't a Hollywood question where you marry the hottest girl you know or become a superhero. What would you really do?

I would first leave school immediately after giving my favorite teachers the biggest hugs. When I got home, I would call everyone I can't reach to tell them I love them and how much of an impact they've made on my life. Next, I would walk Milo one last time and hug my cat, Ash, even though he hates being picked up. After, I would facetime my dad who lives 800 miles away to talk to him as long as I could. While hugging my mom, I would watch Practical Magic with her and sing every song from the movie as loud as I could. I'd play one more game of Catan with my brother and sister in-law, of course I would win. Finally, I would watch the sunset for the last time because my whole life, anytime I've felt lost, I turned to the sun. That night, I probably wouldn't be able to sleep.

So not just today, 18 years after the attack on 9/11, but everyday, remember that tomorrow is never promised. Life gives you no warning, and rarely gives you time. So hug somebody you love. Spend time with people you care about. Don't hesitate to express how you feel. Build up the confidence to talk to that "hottest girl you know". And never forget.