There is so much for you yet to learn.
You think this day when you got your braces off was one of the greatest days of your life.
just wait.
Be patient while you wait.
Don't worry so much about what your life will bring and how to get yourself there so fast.
Be in the moment.
Stop worrying. It will all work out in more amazing ways then you can imagine.
Enjoy your teenage life.
It will fly by before you know it.
And trust me the memories you make will last forever.
You will think back to them all the time.
Every song you hear in the future will bring back a past memory.
Singing along to Bon Jovi's Always with your BFF by her locker before 7th grade homeroom.
Dancing with your middle school crush to Aerosmith's Cryin'.
Celebrating with volleyball girls on senior night to the Barenaked Ladies All for you.
Jumping up and down to Journey's Don't Stop Believin' when all your school and your closest friends win the football state championship.
This list will go on and on.
Music is huge. period.
You are so loved.
You are loved by more people than you realize.
When you do realize this one day, you will be overwhelmed and comforted by what an amazing gift this truly is.
You will always be surrounded by good and experience endless moments of pure happiness.
But you will also encounter true sorrow and loss.
It's okay if you are not ready for it.
There are many people who will be there for you, even some you may not expect.
This will be the moment you are gifted the greatest lesson of all - Every single thing you do, every little gesture of kindness you make to another - it matters. It matters so much more than your teenage self thinks it does.
The loss of your Grandma as a teenager is big and hurts and is really more than you can handle at this time in your life. But know that while you may not think she will be there for all of your life's big moments. She is the one who you will always talk to, feel her guidance, and know she is right there with you for years and years to come, every single moment, every step of the way. And you will be able to feel how proud she is of you.
You will experience more loss of close loved ones later in your life and it will be just as hard, but you will be stronger.
The loss of a friend will bring you courage, strength, teach more than you knew before about friendship, and show you how important it is to lean on one another. You will learn how incredibly fragile and precious life really is. And every time you hear the song Always come on the radio you will think of her and her smile and all those moments before 7th grade homeroom.
Your fashion trends are a staple of the 90's (even though you are an 80's girl in your heart).
Your perm will only last about 2 years.
Baggy clothes are in.
Although I want to tell you to wear some pretty yet appropriate fitted clothing while you have the body that you do.
You are 5'8 and 118 pounds, take off those baggy size 6's and save those for later when you will wear them all the time. And then one day you will want to get back into those size 6's, but the reason you are not in them is so worth it (but that is getting way ahead of yourself :)).
You are a good girl.
Don't change this.
You will be so glad in the future that you stuck up for what you believed was right for you. And other people will admire you for these things. Hard to believe at your age isn't it?
I am SO proud of you.
You find a way to be part of everything you like without caving to some of the pressures that may surround you.
Sticking up for yourself will in turn become one your greatest qualities, as you will become an advocate for others who need you.
While I am proud of you for being the good girl you are, I will say I think you should
do more of this...
Be silly. Have fun. Live in every moment.
Don't worry so much about how you look to other people.
It's good to present yourself well in front of others, but you can loosen up just a tad more.
(and yes there is a tie-dye shirt, hemp necklace and hair scrunchie all in that picture!)
On another fashion note.
The pretty short blue dress you choose to wear to your senior year homecoming will always be your favorite dance dress. It's simple. It's classic. It's hot. Heck, if you could fit into it, you would want to wear it at the age of 30. :)
Oh, and dress up for Halloween more often.
Take care of yourself.
Don't spend so much time soaking in the sun rays for a tan.
Be kind and gentle to your skin.
Sports are a big deal to you.
You've seen Hoosiers hundreds of times already at your age, this is no secret.
Push yourself harder. Don't be afraid to fail.
The opportunities you have at your age do not come up again.
Cherish the memories you make through sports, they will have the greatest lasting effect on you.
I'm excited for you just thinking of all the fun times that lie ahead of you as a teenager.
Some of them make for some really great stories.
I already know how much you love your family.
I don't have much to teach you here, family has always been on the top of your list.
Your parents mean everything to you and you are terrified to disappoint them. It's good to have this in you, but don't worry so much about disappointing them. Their love for you is greater than any little mistake you may make along the way.
Be respectful. Be kind. Spend every moment you can with each other, even when you might get a little sick of one another. Try to turn on the weather channel a little less when your brother walks in the room (because you just want to be by yourself) and try not to get so upset every time your sister steals your jeans and you can't find them anywhere. You will always be close with your family, but one day you may not be able to see each other as often as you'd like.
By the way, your sister will still always be your best friend.
Those girlfriends who stood by your side all those years...
Yup, they will still be there. On graduation day, maybe be a little less sad. :)
You'll go to college, meet new friends and enjoy yourself.
Maybe take a little more time to enjoy yourself.
As for what comes later, well I can't give everything away.
But your 20's are AMAZING! From start to finish they are filled with life-altering moments that define your life in more ways than your teenage self can imagine. So stop worrying that what you are doing now is going to make or break your future. Enjoy. Live it up.
Alright, I will add this...
You think you want to be married by 22, but trust me you will be SO glad you waited till you were at least past 25. Your 20's are a time to come into your own, build your confidence and your strength, and discover who you are. It will also bring some of your most amazing adventures. Journeys that will make you a better person. Independence that will bring more to your relationship with your future husband. Yup, he's there, he's waiting. Don't be in such a hurry to find him right away. The loves and lessons you learn along the way will eventually lead you right into his arms.
I'll give you a hint...it's not a bad boy. It's the genuine one whose innocence and excitement for all the small things in life win you over wholeheartedly.
I mean really, this picture screams adorable innocence and excitement. :)
And one day you will even have a little girl who looks just like you.
This letter, well it may even be written quite solely for her to read one day.
In hopes it provides a little something to help her through some of the little moments that seem so big when you are a teenager.
Things work out beautifully.
Love,
Your older 30 year old self (Lisa)
Thanks for letting me post something a little more on the serious side today.
After a week of watching Tangled five times with snot smeared across my chest from a toddler, I was in need of some real writing time that made my brain work a little harder. Quinn is fighting a baby sinus infection. She is just about the saddest little thing. Most of my days have been filled with legs stretched around my hips and a sweet little face resting on my chest with her arms tucked under. For a little girl that has always been so easy, Todd and I are embracing this time of extra cuddles, nighttime awakenings, and feeling very very needed by this sweet little girl.
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