Dear high school me,

I never realized there would come a time when high school seemed so far away. The person you are now does not even compare to who you will become in the next few years. You spent a lot of time wishing you could fast forward to bigger and better things. I'm here to tell you to slow down.

College is an amazing experience but in its due time. Take the opportunity to love high school. Make new friends. Go to sporting events. Join more clubs. Make the most of your four years there. Stop dreaming of your life years down the road and start loving the life you're living in right now.

Go hug mom and dad. They're so close to you every single day. Don't take for granted living at home. You don't have to understand everything they do or why they do it, but you need to understand that your time at home is limited. In a few years, you're going to move out and only get to spend holidays and breaks with them. Soak up every little moment you can before they turn into memories.

Stop being so hard on yourself. You are beautiful inside and out and the earlier you realize that the easier the next few years will be for you. You make mountains out of molehills far too often, then you try to move those mountains yourself. Take a breath and realize your value. Love who you are in the moment and not who you picture yourself to be "when you grow up."

You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. High school won't be easy for you. Your big sister moves out, mom gets sick, and many other obstacles along the way. But trust yourself and trust in God because you kick some serious ass in these next few years. Hold steady in your faith and make sure your conversations with God last longer than the ones you have over text message. You will be successful in anything you set your mind to, so stop worrying whether or not you're good enough. Stop being so mean to yourself. Stop putting yourself so low on your own list that you forget to give attention to you. Stop wondering if this life will turn out to be exactly what you hope it will be and start living it. You're going to surprise yourself every step of the way.

Love, me.

P.S. Keep rocking that purple owl lunch box, girl.