Dear Old Me,

It’s me. I’m writing this letter to say that you made it, you have made it so far in life. I remember when you thought you’d never see these days, that the sun would never shine, and maybe your heart would always hurt. How excited are you to hear that it gets better?

You’re in high school and it feels like the world is crashing down some days. Your biggest worry is your football boyfriend, who you will run out with Friday night, who you will sit with at lunch and what color prom flowers you need. Everyone keeps telling you to enjoy this time because it’s the best time of your life, but believe mom when she says it is not the best time of your life. The best is not even close to high school. High school is this dreadful place to you, you’re counting down the days until graduation. Guess what? You made it.

Mean girls. Oh, the worst part about your life so far. Seems so stereotypical, but it’s not. The mean girls laugh when you can’t tumble like they can, they laugh when you can’t hear them, they laugh when you go on a diet to try to lose weight, they laugh when you buy the cheaper prom dress, they laugh when you post pictures, they laugh when you don’t get invited somewhere. The girls who were bitchy don’t have true friends now, HA. You will get to college and meet some of the best friends of your life and keep about two friends from your hometown. Girls get better, you just wait, sister!!! Guess what? You will be surrounded by the best girlfriends and will wonder how some girls could ever be so mean.

You will grow up and have your heart completely shattered. That boy who broke your heart over and over is a jerk. You should have listened to your mom, your best friend, and everyone who tried to warn you. You all will have fun times and you will be blinded by love. You will never understand why someone can be such a manipulative liar. Guess what? It gets better. He downgrades. You will find so much happiness other places in your life. You will realize as bad as it hurt, you are better without him.

You are going to travel so many places. The world is big and wide and you ache to explore it. You will. You will see so many islands, so many cities and fall in love with them all. Go on every trip you can. You will regret the ones you don’t go on. Guess what? These trips make the sun radiate from your face and it’s what makes you the happiest.

Your family will become your favorite people. You will rely on them to keep you sane, happy and well fed. They are your biggest support system. Go tell them sorry for being a butt earlier today and for sassing. They will do so much for you like buy you tires for you Jeep (thanks, Pops), always make sure you have clean clothes and food (thanks, Ma) and always keep you belly laughing and happy (thanks Liv and Isaiah). Cherish them so much, cherish the days you live with them and all the noise in your house. Guess what? One day you’ll miss it.

You are going to have more fun in college than you have ever experienced. (Oh, yes you’re going to Marshall, by the way). College starts off rough, difficult and shocking, but by your Junior year you will have fallen in love with Huntington. It will become your home away from home. You will crash at your best friend’s apartment (her name is Mack), you will eat Chipotle so often, you will live for Thursday’s with your friends at Jake’s because it will keep you sane and you will begin to love Huntington more every day. Guess what? Huntington will become your second home.

You are going to make it, so far in this life. I hope this letter finds you well and that you take all my advice. You will have your heartbroken, but you will find happiness and joy in traveling, new friends, new adventures, get a second home and have the best people in your life. The sun is going to shine and you my friend, are going to make it.

Guess what?

I love you.

Sincerely,

The future