Hey there love,

It's me, the college you. I'm here to tell you that somehow you made it through the craziest four years of your life. All of the fake friends, hateful coaches, and fights with your parents made you such a strong human being. You have accomplished so much and are going to do great things.

You are so exhausted right now, but not from school work. You're exhausted from trying to please everyone. You're so fed up with people never listening to you and taking credit for your ideas. You wish you could be assertive and tell them off, but you'd rather sulk in private than tell everyone how you really feel.

You're angry at your parents. They made you get a job in the almost nonexistent free time that you have. You are a full time student, athlete, who is also somehow managing to work full time at the local grocery store. You are expected to keep a perfect GPA, which somehow you managed even with all of your activities.

You're tired of being compared to your older sister by your classmates. "Why aren't you as pretty as her?" "Why aren't you going to a better college like her?" And then compared to your younger sister, "Why aren't you as funny as she is?"

I'm here to tell you that all of the hell you endured has paid off.

Those fake friends? They taught you how to tell the real from the fake in college.

Your parents? They taught you how to manage your time, money, and grades. You also have a fantastic work ethic now.

Being compared to your sisters? So what? You are your own individual person. Who cares if you're not like them? You all have qualities that the others don't possess.

Just stay true to yourself. Don't be a doormat for other people's insecurities. Have faith that this too shall pass. The things you went through made you such a strong individual who is confident in her identity.

And finally, believe that others value you. You wrote so many people off who cared for you, but hold them close. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and more precious than rubies. Stay strong in your faith and believe that there is such a beautiful light at the end of the tunnel.

No hay mal que por bien no venga.