1. I hope you make the most of it.

I know you’re ready to get out high school. We both know a year ago I was right there too. But enjoy it while it lasts. Speak to everyone. Go to everything. Make the best memories you can make because it’ll be over so soon. And when college comes around, treat it just the same. Do everything you can do to make the most of what you’ve got because you only get one shot at it and you my friend are too amazing to have any regrets.

2. I hope you learn to let go.

Probably the hardest lesson for anyone to learn, but especially you are my perfect perfectionist friend. I love how much you care about everything and everyone you encounter. Never lose that giant heart, but stop letting it get overwhelmed and broken by the things you can’t control. Stop stressing. You’re going to get there, and it’s going to work out. Learn to let go.

3. I hope you let yourself be happy.

Because you of all people deserve that. But you of all people know that it never works out just perfectly like we hope, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy.

4. I hope you are intentional in all you do.

Starting new in college can be tricky. It’s a world of new possibilities, and it can be very easy to look at everyone around you and think they’ve got what you want. It can be very easy to lose pieces of yourself to fit into the ideals of others. Don’t. Don’t compromise who you are, and don’t waste any time trying to be something you aren’t. Be intentional in all you do, and the right people will love you as much as I do.

5. I hope you never settle.

You are moxie. You are special. Always remember that, and don’t ever take the easy road out. You deserve more than average grades, even when it’s hard. You deserve more than a crappy boy, even when he’s cute and it makes you feel good to be with him. You deserve the absolute best of everything, so don’t settle for anything less.

6. I hope you have fun.

You’re going to need to study, and as we both know you will definitely study. You’re going to need to be responsible and safe, and as we both know you will be. But don’t forget to have fun along the way. Have fun in your last few months of high school, even though you think you’re over it, and have fun in college, even though you’re going to have a million other things going on too. Life’s way too short not to.

7. I hope you grow.

As you prepare to graduate with a brain full of knowledge, and a heart so full of compassion and moxie, I hope you continue to grow into the person you want to be. I hope you grow into the person you are meant to be. I hope you surround yourself with the right people, learn from the mistakes you’re bound to make, and never stop striving for your best, especially in your faith.

8. I hope you believe in yourself.

I know you have high expectations, goals, and hopes for this year, and you should. Now don’t ever doubt your ability to accomplish them. The good Lord has blessed you with gifts I’m not even sure you truly realize, so remember that you can do anything you want to do. No matter where you’ve been, and no matter where you go, you can rise above any challenge. Always believe in yourself, and for the times you start to doubt just know that I’ll always believe in you.

9. I hope you are uncomfortable at times.

Take risks. I know you like to feel safe, we all do, but don’t dismiss everything that makes you a little uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone to try new things and meet new people. I’m willing to bet it will allow you to make some of your best memories.

10. I hope you let new people in.

Share that big heart of yours. Always hold home and high school dear, but as you finish up and go your separate ways, go make more friendships to hold dear too. Find the best people- the people who want what’s best for you- and let them into your life.

11. I hope you’re unafraid.

Because in reality there’s nothing to be afraid of. Fear of failure? You’re bound to fail at some point, which can be a good thing, so let that go. Fear of missing out? If you’re confident in who you are and what you’re doing, you won’t miss out on anything you really need to be a part of, so let that go. Fear of the unknown? College won’t always be easy, but it will be whatever you make it, so make it wonderful and let that go.

12. I hope you’re selfish on occasion.

I love how much you care about other people and other people’s feelings, never lose that, but have that same regard for yourself too. Do what’s best for you. Put yourself first when you need to be concerned about your own needs, dreams, well-being. It’s okay to be a little selfish at times, just know when those times are and stand your ground.

13. I hope you find something to be thankful for in every day.

You and I can be really good at sharing all of our “tragic” moments of the day, but for everything that goes wrong, I hope you are able to still see all of the things that are going right. Always remember it could be worse, and you still have so much to be thankful for. Remember that, and focus on the good when the bad becomes too much. It will always lift you up.

14. I hope you never give up.

You didn't get to where you are now by accident. Some days required a lot more grit than others, but those days that you refused to quit have probably been the days that have impacted you the most. As you think you’re ready to throw in the towel on high school, and when the road gets rocky in college, don’t give up. You can do whatever it is you want to do, no matter what you face.

15. I hope you know when to say enough.

When you’re brain is overwhelmed with information, put the books away. When you need some time to yourself, take it. When you think you’ve been having too much fun, cut back. When you feel like you’ve been used by someone, say so. Know your limits, and how to stop when you’ve reached them.

16. I hope you see new places and learn new things.

Take opportunities to travel, to learn, to experience something new. College won’t be that far away from home, but it can open up doors to a world you’ve never been around before. Walk through those doors and do everything you can to open your mind up to new. It will only change you and your future for the better.

17. I hope you find something else to love as much as Grey’s Anatomy.

Invest yourself in something. Connect with something. Find something that you're passionate about. Fall in love with something that makes you as happy as Grey’s Anatomy does.

18. I hope you know I am always here for you.

You have been the true definition of a best friend- a shoulder to cry on, a partner in crime, a person to celebrate with, a dance partner, and the one human I can share everything with. You stood by me at my lowest of low points in the last year, with no judgement but pure love and honesty, and you rejoiced with me in every victory. No matter where your 18th year takes you- who you meet, what you do or don’t do, whatever obstacles you face- know that I will always be here for you, the way that you have never failed me.