If I Could Write A Letter To Me

Laura over at Cowboy Boots & Baby Booties wrote the neatest post yesterday. She wrote a letter to her younger self. It really got me thinking – what would I say to mini me? What words of wisdom would I impart knowing what I know now? A moment that I would make sure to remember? Is there anything I would do different? So I’m taking a page from Laura’s book and writing a letter to my younger self.

Amber,

There is so much I want to tell you – and you know how you can be a little long winded at times. So I’ll try to hit the highlights – the things you really need to know to make the most out of the time you have with the people you love.

-In kindergarten, Arrianne Grimsley will tell you to stop making the tire swing spin around in circles. You should listen to her and stop – otherwise she will throw up all over you brand new white Keds.

-Run when Daddy says, “Come on. Let’s go get a haircut at the barber shop.” Seriously, pitch a fit, make yourself throw-up, do whatever you have to do to make sure that you do not go to that barber shop with him – otherwise you will come home with a mullet.

-You’re going to move around *a lot*. At times you will feel like this puts you at such a disadvantage. You’ll never have a “lifelong best friend” and you’ll never excel at any sport because you will never live anywhere long enough to play a sport for more than one season. But this is actually a blessing. You will learn to adapt, to make new friends, you will gain confidence that it takes most people a lifetime to develop. Go easy on your parents when they tell you it’s time to pack up and start over – they aren’t trying to ruin your life.

-You’ll worry that you will never get your period. All the other girls in school will get theirs long before you – but it will come – and when it does, you will hate it. So enjoy your cramp free days as long as possible.

-You will hate your first kiss. It will be sloppy and wet and you’ll vow never to kiss another boy again. But don’t worry, it gets better. You’ve just got to find the right boy to kiss.

-High school will be tough. You’ll have a group of “best friends” – but they are actually more life frienemies. Go out and rent the movie “Mean Girls” if you want a preview of what it will be like. Your senior year you will become unbelievably close with a girl named Khristi – her friendship will make all the drama, all the harsh words, all the lies and all the gossip worth it. After graduation you will move to NC, keep in touch. Otherwise, you will go four years without speaking to her and one day she will find you on Facebook. You’ll pick up right where you left off –but you will be so sad that she wasn’t standing beside you on your wedding day – after all, she is your oldest friend.

-There will come a day your sophomore year when Nana sits you down. You will be able to tell by the look in her eyes that she wants to tell you something important – she wants to share her stories with you. Sit down. Listen. Laugh at the right times and don’t’ be afraid to cry. She’s in the last months of her life and she wants to share her favorite memories with you – you are a very lucky girl and make sure she knows how much you love her.

-Unfortunately you will have your heart broken by a jerk. Honestly, you should never dated him in the first place – but I know better than to try and stop you. He’s got gorgeous eyes and a great smile…so go ahead. But when he breaks your heart two days before graduation, don’t shed a single tear for him. Call Khristi, go get some ice cream and blast Kelly Clarkson. Believe me, you didn’t love him – you don’t even know what love is at this point – but you will soon…so don’t cry.

-When you get to college and a boy named Steven kisses you for the first time, remember it! You won’t think much of the kiss – just some boy you’re kissing – you’re first kiss with a college boy. But that will be the last first kiss of your life…so cherish it, memorize it, play it over and over so you will never forget it.

-This will make you laugh – you’re going to be a sorority girl. You, yes you. It will be one of the best experiences of your lifetime. You will gain time management skills, leadership skills and a working knowledge of how to run an organization. But more importantly, you will gain sisters. Go crazy during your pledge period – learn the Greek alphabet and stay away from the Pi Kapps.

-If you don’t listen to anything else I tell you, listen to this. That boy Steven, well you’re going to marry him. He will propose three days after graduation and six months later he will tell you that he wants to join the Marines. Let him. Tell him that you will follow him anywhere he wants to go. This is his calling – this is his dream. Please don’t tell him it’s either the Marines or you. Don’t worry, he will choose you over his dream– because he’s a better man than you could possibly deserve. But believe me when I tell you that decision will be the single regret of your 23 years. And a few years later, when you’re finally ready to follow him – it will be too late. Life will have gotten in the way and a bad economy will complicate things. His dream will be lost and will be all your fault. I promise, if you don’t let him join, the thought that you caused him to miss his calling will haunt you.

All in all, you have a great life ahead of you. I wish I could tell you that you won’t ever fail. I wish I could tell you that you won’t deal with heart ache or loss. But I can promise that for every painful moment you will endure, God will bless you with one hundred happy, joy filled times. Love with no strings attached, work hard, but play harder, pray often and thank God for the life He's given you each day!