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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

As I sat on my couch after a long week of covering a plethora of graduations across Shelby County, battling a fever that could melt the ice of a Massachusetts pond in the winter, I sifted through my endless vinyl collection to get some medicinal relief in the form of good music.

I ultimately landed on Bad Bunny’s modern classic, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,”an album that serves as a heartfelt homage to his homeland of Puerto Rico that intertwines personal reflection with cultural commentary.

The album’s title translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos.” It underscores a longing for the past and the memories that define it. The title track further expounds on this message, as Benito expresses regret over not capturing more moments with loved ones, highlighting the significance of photographs in preserving personal and collective histories.

Graduation speeches are often filled with platitudes about chasing dreams and leaving home. But what if the deeper challenge isn’t how far you go—but how well you remember where you started?

Further along in the title track of his album, Bad Bunny mourns the simplicity of life before his journey to fame—the island rhythms, the plastic chairs in the yard, the voices that time has taken. Simple moments like these form us, but they’re easy to forget when life starts moving fast.

Bad Bunny is on to something with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” Despite being a world-renowned pop star, I haven’t found an album this year that’s more relatable and relevant. He’s not just talking about taking pictures. He’s talking about being present. About the need to stop and really see the people around you—your friends, your family, your neighborhood. Because one day, you’ll look back. And you’ll wish you had more than just blurry snapshots. You’ll wish you had taken the time to notice how good it really was.

To the class of 2025, you are about to grow and change in unfathomable ways as you embark on a new chapter. You will meet people who inspire and challenge you. But don’t forget what made you. Don’t forget the front porches and back roads. Don’t forget your teachers and coaches and lunchroom laughs.

You’ll be tempted to believe that the next thing—whatever’s ahead—is where life really starts. But Bad Bunny reminds us that life is already happening. Right now. And we should treat it like it matters.

So, class of 2025, I encourage you to find joy and work hard in the next chapter. Savor life’s moments and go on a relentless quest to create good days, regardless of location and vocation. Take the picture, because trust me, you’ll want it later.