what would 20 year old Hitha think?

she'd have a LOT of opinions

Hitha Palepu

Jul 26, 2026

Before we journey down memory lane, let’s catch up on what you might have missed:

the plan - july 2026

Jun 28

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“I wish I could’ve met you when we were 20.”

I looked at my husband, slightly bewildered.

He had found my high school vision board tucked behind a display cabinet. I haven’t seen it since my senior year of high school (when I made it):

“I was something at 20. I was always running my mouth about politics, was blatantly opportunistic for terrible reasons1, had excellent taste in music, and was ballsy.”

“I think I would’ve liked you just as much as when we actually did meet.”2

I was thinking about my younger self before my husband started this conversation. Elle had me reliving my own brief time in Seattle, feeling like a fish out of water when I arrived and wistful when I left.

My college self had to learn to put down emotional roots. There was no upcoming move or new adventure during my four years at the University of Washington (aside from an internship on the Hill and a study abroad, the summer before my senior year). I was putting down roots in the first place I experienced culture shock, and it was weird and unsettling—and taught me my most important lessons.

I let myself move through different groups (friends, clubs, living situations, classes). Majoring in chemistry and history was a wild choice that I don’t think I would’ve made today3, but I made it without blinking - something that would set me up for this multi-hyphenated career and life of mine.

God, I was so brave. I just did things without much thought or a plan. I would talk to anyone, about anything. A random conversation on a tequila farm in Mexico got me an internship at an oncology biotech company in Seattle. A cold email landed me on the Senior Class Gift Council, which I would end up co-chairing and advocating for our class’ gift of Lux, and had me delivering one of the two student commencement speeches at graduation.

I was so messy when it came to boys. If I’m being honest, I was messy until I met my husband. And as much as I cringe about the things I did, I’m grateful that I had all of those experiences before I met Sri. I was ready for our relationship at 25 - at 20, I would’ve probably been a makeout bandit.

If I got to meet 20 year old Hitha, she would be gassing me up and criticizing me in equal measure. “We wrote TWO books? And work with Dad on lifesaving drugs. We’re the reason Dad became an entrepreneur? We met the vice president? We had a desi woman as vice president of the United States? WE WORKED WITH TACO BELL?!?”

She’d shrug off that we live in New York and spend summers in Bucks County (“of course we do”). She’d probably be shocked that we didn’t have a daughter, and also realize that it makes perfect sense that we have sons. She would absolutely be judging my playlists and that we haven’t been to a concert in forever (“why are we not going to this show next week?”). She would be drooling over our closet and grudgingly accept our current style.

She’d be proud (but too much of a 20-something to say it). And she’d tell me to stop overthinking it and to do the damn thing.

I’m proud of us. And we have more dreams to make a reality. Let’s go.

This was such a cathartic mental exercise, and I highly recommend you do the same. What would your 20 year old self think about your present self? What did you love at 20 that you want to bring into the present? For me, it’s more Bloc Party and Arctic Monkeys in my playlists, my favorite snack of white cheddar Cheetos and Diet Coke with lime, and just saying yes.

things I’m loving right now

a few practical things that has made my sons’ bathroom less of a disaster: a shower liner with stronger magnets and stone bath mat to mop up the inevitable flood after every shower, a mess-free toothpaste, a plug-in air freshener that works, and these wipes to wipe up their sinks every night.
I make pasta every Sunday, and Caroline Chambers’ melty zucchini pasta and this pasta salad are the perfect ones for summer.
5 things that are absolutely worth the money for me: hatch chile gouda from Wegmans, 100% cotton pajamas, this makeup/toiletry bag (I own two, one for each purpose), and these laundry pods (use code HITHA15 for 15% off, Siberian Pine is my favorite scent).
In that same vein, I love Sima Sistani’s 5 things worth the effort.
Jo Piazza starts her day by “burning the fancy candle”, and I plan on doing the same given I have a veritable library of Hotel Lobby Candles. I think I’ll start with Capri. (Side note - their co-founder Lindsay Silberman has an excellent Substack).
- Side note: do you have your copy of The Parisian Heist? It’s EXCELLENT. Request it from your local library, or purchase a copy if budget permits!
I’m still buzzing about LeBron coming to Philly. This article sums up my hopes better than I could.

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Take care of yourself, the best you can.

xo,
HPN

After interning for then-Congressman Jay Inslee for two summers and working on the Kerry campaign, I found myself a member (and eventually, vice president) of the College Republicans. My old defense of “oh, a Republican in Seattle is a moderate Democrat anywhere else” is a lie I told myself to make me feel better about it. Like I said - 20 year old Hitha had her misguided & opportunistic moments, and this was one of them.

We met only 5 years later, at 25 years old. I did a LOT of growing up in those 5 years, and I’m personally glad we met when we did.

I do regret not knowing about UW’s undergraduate degree in public health until my senior year. I feel like I would’ve declared my major in public health over chemistry, and I might’ve tried to get into the political science classes I originally planned. Not getting a spot is what pivoted me to history, which I’m honestly so grateful for.