"Old Friend: Letter to My Younger Self" is a reflection on time, growth, and the cyclical nature of life. Using both metal and wood, I crafted this piece as an exploration of the journey from innocence to experience. The form itself evokes a 9, representing the final stage before completion, with nods to its past lives, phases 0 through 8, embedded in the texture and imperfections of the material. The choice of metal, with its sturdiness and ability to bear the scars of its process, symbolizes the resilience built over time. The wooden elements, in contrast, suggest warmth, history, and the organic evolution of the self. Together, these materials speak to the tension between vulnerability and strength - how, over time, we wear our experiences, yet remain open to what comes next.