As my 30th birthday approaches, I am feeling both nostalgic and optimistic. I have such amazing memories, and I can't wait to make many more! That being said, today I'm going to write 2 letters: one to my 20 year-old self, and another to my 40-year old self. I'd love to see what the rest of you have to say to a prior/future self, so feel free to join in on the fun and write some letters of your own!
Dear 20 Year-Old Me,
Hey, good lookin'! I know you don't think you are, but what I wouldn't give to have that body back! So, don't be so hard on yourself. Go ahead, take those shorts off and be seen in your bikini bottom. You really can pull it off (it turns out Kevin was right about something)!
Welcome to Denton! Get ready...you're going to make a lot of memories here (in fact, all those things you used to dream about are going to happen here...maybe a little differently than you imagined, but they're going to happen). I know you're busy working full time, going to school full time, and planning a wedding, but make sure you try to find time to build some friendships, too. (Spoiler alert...the girl you met at work, the one who works upstairs in the mall...she's going to stick around. I'm actually going out with her tonight!) And speaking of wedding planning, make sure to thank your mom a lot. She's doing all of the hard work, since you're not there. (It turns out to be the best day of your life...the perfect wedding, so make sure you show some appreciation.)
Your next 10 years are going to fly by. But they are going to be filled with memories and life-changing events, blessings and challenges. Without giving too much away, I want to leave you with a few pieces of advice:
*Your sister is going to need you next year. Try harder to get your professors to let you reschedule your case study observations. I don't know if it will work, and I know you don't like conflict, but please try.
*Don't take it so personally when your daughter cries constantly. You're not a bad mom. It's not something you're doing wrong. She's colicky. (Get ready to have some high water bills, though.)
*Don't freak out when graduation has come and gone, summer has come and gone, and you still don't have a job. You'll get a call the day before school starts. It will all work out.
*Get your son into some baby modeling and rake in some sweet, sweet cash. Extra money can always come in handy.
*The ladies you're going to work with at your new school will become your besties. It'll take most of the first year to really find that out, but they will. (And you will have such good times with them: birds and bats flying overhead, tranny dances, and more!)
*You'll be switching doctors in 2006. You'll think it's super convenient to have Kevin take the kids to their first appointment while you go to your first appointment. But I think it will work out better to schedule the kids' appointment for another day, keep the kids in daycare, and have Kevin come with you to yours. Trust me.
*Keep your faith strong. You've done a pretty good job of this already, and take it from me, you will continue to do so. But there's always room for more. You will have some tough times, but your faith with get you through them. Read the Bible more often (you'll feel better when you do). And keep going to that church in Lewisville. I know it's a farther drive, but it just feels right. Remember your favorite verse: Philippians 4:13.
Love,
Your older and wiser 30 year-old self
Dear 40 Year-Old Me,
Wow, 40 years old! I remember when that seemed so old! I hope I do what I need to in my 30's to make 40 look good on you! I know my 20's were pretty amazing and filled with blessings and trials. How did my 30's treat you? Did you actually survive teenage Hannah? Tell me it wasn't as bad as I'm fearing it will be! Wait. If you're 40, then that means Hannah just graduated High School! How is that possible?! I'm starting to tear up just thinking about it. And that means Mason just got his drivers license! He hasn't gotten into a wreck yet, has he?! Yikes.
Does Hannah have a boyfriend? If she's anything like you (which I think we both know, she's not)this could be the one she marries. OMG. Has Mason gone on many dates, yet? I bet you're so proud of them. I think of how amazed I am now when they're only 6 and 8 and haven't really had a chance to accomplish much. I can't even imagine all of the amazing things they've done (and all of the trouble they've gotten into at 16 and 18). Have they become best friends? Has their fighting stopped at least?
How are Mom and Dad? Are they still riding that Harley together? Have Brad and Heather finally moved to Texas? What are Ryan and Evelyn up to? How are Jaime and Jody and their twin preteen boys?! Did they ever have more kids? How many kids do Josh and Megan have and how much do they love their favorite Aunt Tracy? Are they still in San Antonio? How are Matt and Sheila dealing with their empty nest? Do they have grandkids yet? Has Joel found the right woman to marry? Is he still in Odessa? How are Michele and her kids? I hope they are all doing well.
Whatever the answers to all of these questions are, I'm sure it's been an amazing journey getting to them. If your first 30 years are any indication, I'm sure you've only gotten better with age! I hope that your relationships have gotten stronger (all of them). I hope that you've learned to speak up. I hope that you've gained confidence and a sense of contentment about yourself. I hope you've remembered your teenage years when you've dealt with Hannah and Mason. I hope you've earned a lot more laugh lines and learned to love them. I hope you're more in love with Cakes than ever. I hope Ashley's still coming over every other weekend. I hope you're still hanging out with your besties. I hope that you're still talking to God every day, and that your example has helped your kids to do the same.
Love,
Your 30 year-old self
