Dear Me, Version 1999

Edited to add:  I know the others did their letters to theirselves during senior year of high school.  I didn’t.  Yeah, I buck trends like that!  Perhaps I’ll do that tomorrow, when my brain can’t come up with an idea for a post. 

Hey you.  Can I just start right off the bat by advising you to STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF?!  Life isn’t so serious at 16!  You’ll wish you could relive these days later on!

You know that girl you always give rides to?  And her younger sister?  Yeah, stop doing that!  Her parents will totally stop giving you gas money AND your “friend” will stab your back senior year and spread really bad lies about you.  She’ll pretend to be your BFF the second you get your drivers license.  Trust me, her friendship isn’t worth it.

Oh, and that boy who keeps coming back for more every few months or so?  Yeah, cut him off too.  He only wants you when he can’t have you.  He’s totally one of THOSE guys, and he’ll make you miserable for about a year or so.

Don’t stress over Precalculus so much.  You’ll get horrible grades at first, but don’t bother with that panic attack you’ll have first quarter.  Your grades will improve.  Bringing coffee to your teacher for your morning tutor sessions may help move things along quickly.

Be kind to your government teacher.  He’ll end up being there for you in one of the worst periods of your life and you’ll really need him as a friend.  Also, remember this:  he gives great advice, even if sometimes it’s not what you want to hear.

Spend more time with your dad.  When he asks you to go Christmas shopping with him and you have plans with your friends, don’t second guess your decision to bail on your friends.  You will have the best day with Daddy, and you’ll learn more about him in a few hours than you have in your whole life.  It will be one of your favorite memories with him.

Don’t pay any attention to the negative treatment you get from the evil stepmother.  In a few years time, she won’t be in your life anymore and you’ll be happier.  Until then, don’t let her get to you. 

Pay a little more attention to the quiet, dorky guy sitting behind you in Algebra class.  He has a huge crush on you and he’s a nice guy!  He might not be on your “social radar” but trust me, years from now, all the girls from your high school will see you guys together and think to themselves, “Holy shit! When did he get so HOTT?” 

And while we’re on the topic of B, appreciate him more.  The time that you snap at him in front of your friends and make him cry is something that he will never let go of.  You’ll break his heart and he’ll even break yours, but somehow you’ll pull through it.  He’ll be there for you in some really, really hard times and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without him.  You’re going to marry him, so treat him well!

Get rid of the bangs.  Seriously.  NOW.  Grow them out immediately.  You’ll thank me later!

When everyone in school jokes you for still being a virgin?  Yeah, don’t let that bother you.  They’ll call you a prude and ask you what you’re afraid of, and you’ll feel like an idiot.  But you know what happens to them?  They get cheated on.  By the same guy who goes around and around sleeping with everyone.  They’ll have sex with other people and it won’t mean anything.  You’ll lose it when you’re ready and it will be with B.  And he really will love you forever.

Don’t stress the PSAT score you get.  Seriously?  Does.not.even.matter!  And when the SATs come along, to hell with them too.  It won’t affect where you’re gonna end up later in life, anyway.

Perfect grades won’t help with your family situation.  No matter how hard you try, your parents are still going to fight.  Your dad is still going to be sick.  He’ll be really proud of you, and it will make you happy to do well, but don’t kill yourself trying.

Put away the clunky shoes.  No one likes them and years later you’ll look back at pictures and think “WTF was I thinking?”  Along with that, go ahead and get rid of the blue nail polish.  And the glitter.  That’s right, I said it.

It all comes out okay in the end.  Actually, better than okay.  Your dad and stepmother will still split up.  Your stepmother will still betray you.  Your father will still pass away too soon.  But you know what else will happen? 

You’ll graduate second in your class.  You’ll get into a college, and don’t worry, you’ll find a way to pay for it!  You’ll get even better grades there, without trying so hard, and it will truly just be for YOU to enjoy.  You’ll meet the best friends of your life.  You’ll kiss other boys.  You’ll have your heart broken, but you will rebuild it all on your own.  And you will be proud about that.  Your first job out of college will suck hard, but it’s just a stepping stone to your dream job.  You’ll find happiness.  You’ll buy a house and a miniature dachshund that is all yours.  You’ll smile.  You’ll laugh. 

You’ll survive.

So really, stop being so hard on yourself.  You’re pretty damn amazing!

Love,

You, version 2007.

 Thanks to Clink and Molly for the inspiration!