Dear 2008 Emily,

You're 10 years old. You're incredibly shy and awkward. You don't have very many friend, but the ones that you do have are the absolute best. You spend most of your time outside. You're afraid of everything so you never take any chances.

You need to be more confident in yourself. You're a sweet and loving young girl who has the world in front of here. There will be so so many amazing opportunities for you in the near and distant future. You just need to be brave and have the courage to take them!

You have a lot of disappointment, loss, and heartbreak coming your way in the next 8 years. You're going to have tough relationships, lose friends that you thought would be around forever, and have a couple pet funerals (and real funerals). But don't worry, it all gets so, so much better.

You're going to meet so many amazing people. You're going to travel much more than you can even imagine right now. You're going to pick up a love for reading (Yeah, I know. Bet you never saw that coming.) You're going to attend two different colleges. You pick up a couple of instruments. You're going to get quite a few tattoos and piercings. You're going to hit A LOT of different phases, most of them really awkward, but trust me, by the time you're 20 you will finally love yourself.

I'm very happy with the little life that I have made for myself. The woman that you become is happy, successful, and confident, and I can't wait for you to meet her.

Sincerely Yours,

2018 Emily

P.S. You still hate roller coasters. That will never change.