An American Girl in Barcelona: A Letter from Carrie

Dear Hud,

As someone who’s mastered the art of finding herself in all the wrong places before finally landing in the right one, I hope you, too, give yourself the gift of getting a little lost first. Not in the sense of misplacing yourself, but in surrendering to the search for a deeper understanding of who you are. The friends, the love, and the new experiences will come. But what isn’t guaranteed—and what I hope for most—is that you shed just enough of what no longer serves you to discover the version of yourself that is wholly, unapologetically yours.

Shake off the borrowed personas, the inner doubts, and the unnecessary affectations you’ve carried to navigate the world. This is your moment to step into your fullness. To create without a roadmap, love without fear, and embrace the messy, beautiful, unscripted parts of life. If I’ve learned anything from the streets of New York to the cobblestones of Paris, it’s that losing the map is often the first step to finding the magic.

Now, you have a chance to create something entirely your own—free from the fear of getting it wrong. Because there is no wrong. There’s only the beauty of simply laughing at your mistakes and discovering the best way forward—not from anyone else’s playbook, but from your own.

You’ve always been fearless on stage, so I know dancing with the world as your stage won’t faze you. And yet, it’s okay if the curtain rises on a little nervousness—it just means you care about getting the most out of this experience. And if Paris taught me anything, it’s that the universe has a way of holding your hand when you leap, sending strangers and serendipity to guide you safely to your landing.

So here’s what I hope for you, Hud: Embrace the push and pull of this new chapter. The push that brought you here, and the pull to be grounded in the present. Immerse yourself fully—in every smile from a stranger, every conversation over cappuccinos, and every unplanned detour that leads to something extraordinary. Dance with the opposition, both in the new ballet studio and in life, and let yourself be surprised by the moments that weren’t on the schedule.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from a life spent running in heels, it’s this: the best discoveries come when you let your heart, not your head, lead the way. So let your feelings flow freely, smile at strangers, and say yes to the unexpected.

Oh, and Hud? Don’t forget to take a cue from my Parisian soundtrack. Candi Staton said it best: “Young hearts run free.” Keep your mind—and your heart—open to all the lessons this journey has in store. And don’t make anything too big of a deal.

I can’t wait to see who you become on the other side of it all.

With all my love,
Carrie