Letter to Me

“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?'” ~Unknown

Last week, I read a great blog where the girl wrote a letter back to herself at 20. Brad Paisley has a great song about this same idea. I was inspired, and decided to write a letter to myself as well. It really made me think, but was a lot of fun to do. I totally recommend it.

Dear 20 year-old self:

Enjoy every minute of your time in Stillwater...the energy, people, college town, nights on the Strip, crazy parties at 44th and Western (this address will mean something to you one day soon) and everything else that happens during the next three years. You will spend a lot of minutes later on wishing you could go back. They will be some of the very best of your life.

You've got the best family in the world. Your parents, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins are crazy and loud and overwhelming and absolutely perfect for you!

Your year of junior college was a disaster. But it's over. It might have been necessary to funnel you into Oklahoma State. And you met this boy from Kansas and girl from Canada and their friendships will more than make up for the bad parts!

Know that alot of friends will come and go, but there are some friends who you make when you are nine years old that you will have forever.

You have just met a couch named Snuggles. When you move away, take him with you. There is no other couch that comfy and you will never be able to find him again!

Tell the boy how you feel. And this will apply to more than one boy in the next 6 years. Stop worrying about ruining the friendship.....once you get older and the boys start falling in love with other girls, the friendships start to fade anyway.

Always get the season football and basketball tickets. I know you are broke and it seems like a corner that you can cut. Really, it's not. Don't eat for a week or two if necessary.

On a related note, do NOT call your brother trash talking when OSU gets Texas down by 4 touchdowns in the first half of the home game your senior year. There's a guy named Vince Young who will shut your mouth. Big time.

Pick up a limee. Actually, maybe that's not the best idea. You not discovering them until your last semester may be what gets you (and your liver) through college unscathed.

That roomate who you were lucky enough to find is becoming one of your best friends in the world. Yes, you are nearly complete opposites. Maybe that's why it works. Don't yell when she burns the popcorn. It was an accident. Don't forgive her too fast when she breaks the cannister lid. She feels real guilty and will probably cook you something good if you play it a little...

Relax. Stop stressing about school and work and trying to get everything done. This nothing compared to law school, which is nothing compared to the bar, which is nothing compared to working. Who cares if your MCIS powerpoint is perfect? Put it down and go do something fun.

Enjoy every single Sunday at Sunnybrook Christian Church. You will find a small group that will become like family to you. The faith that you experience and cultivate here will only become increasingly important in the rest of your life.
When you meet the really nice girl at Lights on Stillwater, know that she'll lead you to one of your new best friends. The Lights on Stillwater girl will disappear from both of your lives, but that new best friend isn't going anywhere. Transfer out of the terrible Business Law class you go to the first day of your junior year and go to Professor Urich. Business law with him will open your eyes. You will realize that there are so many places to do and things to see and experiences to have that you can't live your life without trying these things. You will learn that not everyone believes what you believe, and while you might disagree, you can still be civil and respectful.

As great as your friends are now, there are some of your best friends who you haven't even met yet. Keep your eyes open. These girls will change your life!
This one is the most important. By the time you're 25, two of your favorite people in the world will be gone. Even though you think they seem invincible, they aren't. Ask them your questions, get their advice, and enjoy your time with them now. Hug them both every chance you get. Someday, you would be willing to give anything to hear their voice one more time.

Love, Me at 26