A Letter To Me

This evening I was delighted to have dinner with 2 of my friends from high school.  Of course, we spent the better part of the meal reminiscing about the "good old days", sharing funny stories, laughing about teachers we tortured, and discussing how different middle school and high school students are today.

This got me thinking...looking back, it was fun, life was generally easier, and the things that I worried about now seem like a day at the beach compared to the stress of adulthood.

So, taking a page from friends who have also done this, I'd like to write a letter to my teenage self.

Dear Erin,

It sounds trite, but don't sweat the small stuff...save your energy.  I know things may seem overwhelming and stressful now, but live it up, because while being an adult is great, there are hardships that you never would have imagined and one day you'll look back on your teenage years with longing and nostalgia.

Enjoy the sports you play - you won't always be able to run around the tennis court and it turns out that teaching tennis lessons will be one of your favorite memories.

Enjoy the simple pleasure of coming home after school, grabbing a snack, and settling in to watch Pop Up Video on VH1.

Enjoy being a size 12, because it will never happen again.

I was kidding about feeling nostalgic about your teenage years - I wouldn't do high school again if you paid me...being a grown up is soooo much better!

Keep making goals and working hard to accomplish them - it is a habit that will serve you well.

Don't stress over your grades - you do fine, you go to college, and you do well there too.

Don't stress over your friends - while you hold onto a precious few, most of your lifelong friends will be from college and after.  When you find a great friend, be sure to tell him or her how much they mean to you.

Don't worry about the boys - you have some good experiences, some bad experiences, but you ultimately meet and marry the love of your life, who also happens to be the best friend you've ever had.

Don't be ashamed of your morals, your loyalty, or your ethics - they will serve you well.

Keep your enthusiasm.  Laugh, especially at those who waste their time being petty. Find something that you love to do, and do more of it! 

Enjoy your family - you have no idea how much you'll miss them down the road, and how you'll wish that you had every moment of life with them on tape.

Don't be afraid to take advice, especially from Mom and Dad - I know you don't want to give them the satisfaction, but sometimes they really do know what they're talking about, and they really do want what's best for you.

Don't be afraid to speak up.  Whether it's for something that's right, or against something that's wrong, people will respect your opinion.

Pay cash - credit cards are the devil!

Eat more vegetables!

Learn to change a tire!

Take a cooking class - you'll wish you weren't completely useless in the kitchen someday!

Take a business class - even though you hate it and it's ass numbingly dull, the knowledge won't hurt!

Take time to look around, relax, and take a breath.

You really do have a blessed life, made more interesting by a few challenges, but it's a hell of a ride!

Cheering you on,

An Older, Wiser, Chubbier, You