Throwback Thursday: A Letter to My Sixteen Year Old Self.

Dear Sixteen Year Old Self,

There is a lot to be learned over the next 12 years. Here are a few things to remember:

Contrary to what people say, this is not "the best time of you life". Being sixteen and in high school is fun and exciting, but it's far from the best. All of the drama and most of what you see as important won't matter once you leave. Enjoy your time, keep making good choices and have fun, but don't worry so much. You're going to be fine.

Boys. Seriously. It's all more drama than it's worth. You'll marry none of them. So just stop worrying about it and go hang out with your girlfriends.

I know you sometimes feel like the uncool girl because you don't go to parties, drink or smoke. Good decision. You won't regret it.

This summer you'll be on a bus to basketball camp and you'll get the bright idea to chop your waist length hair off. DON'T DO IT!! You'll spend the next 10 years trying to grow it back out.

Please, for the love of everything that's good, stop scorching your skin. I know how good it looks, but step away from the tanning bed and be the uncool girl who wears sunscreen. When you're inching closer to 30 you'll wish you had.

 Really enjoy all of your time spent playing sports. The memories you make and fun you have will mean more than you think.

Enjoy all of the concession stand food, bags of chips and Happy Corner Dr. Pepper. You won't be able to eat like this forever. Better yet just start eating healthier now so it won't be so hard to change in the future. Your drivers license will still say you weigh 110 pounds 12 years from now. That's a lie. Enjoy it now.

Don't take that job as a lifeguard. Worst job ever. But, if you do wear sunscreen.

Over the next few years every adult in your life will drill you on "What do you want to do after high school?" or "What are you going to major in during college?". You're a planner and you think you have it figured out. Well, if you fast forward 10 years and you still won't know. And you know what? IT'S OKAY!!!! You're 16 with absolutely no life experience under your belt. How can you possibly know what you want to do for the rest of you're life.

When it comes to college, it will not go how you plan. As much as you think you will, you will not like living away from home. You will not get a degree in interior design. (seriously, what are you thinking?) You will not  finish in 4 years. You will cry a lot and have some of the worst years of your life. But everything will turn out better than you could have ever planned. All of the undone plans and hard times will lead you to the love of your life. And that will lead you to a beautiful life.

So, keep smiling and have fun. The next 12 years will fly by. You're doing well and everything is going to be okay.

Love,
A much wiser, slightly older you