Letter

Dear 20 Me ~

The last ten years have taught you your share of hard earned lessons, bringing you a trillion tears shed, ten trillion smiles smiled, and life altering celebrations over and over and over again...

It may have taken ten years, but you overcame being lost, confused, and clueless. You went from having zero direction and gained some direction [even if the homing pigeon doesn't work]. You started college, quit college, started college, quit college, and recently transferred college credits so you could continue earning a college degree, for reals this time. You made financial mistakes, but eventually rid yourself of debt; an honorable achievement. You tossed bad habits and picked up good ones, you faced fears, held back tears, and conquered even the most difficult situations; coming out the other side stronger and wiser.

When I was in my twenties, it felt like I was riding wild horses, and I was hoping I didn't go over a cliff. ~Chaka Khan

Your first greatest accomplishment came at 22 and she's better than you, smarter than you, and prettier than you. Just remind her that you came first and you'll always be one step ahead. The next greatest achievement came at 24 and he's been trouble with a Capital R ever since he karate chopped your insides so hard he bruised your sternum. You received the icing on the cake before 26, with the world's easiest drug free delivery resulting in the most perfect blonde baby girl [BTW, you perfected bias at 22]. Numero Tres has the smile that can melt your insides and thanks to her, you know that a drug-free birth is cupcakes compared to what comes next.

You attended two Duncan Sheik concerts. DUNCAN SHEIK!!! To my family: Duncan is to Missi as Paul is to Ken. It's a BIG FREAKIN' DEAL, okay?

You had this amazing guy who loved you more than anything and someday, you'll have the guy who loves you even more. You loved, lost, got broken, cried, and spent two years in recovery just to question and discover that you didn't lose ability to be vulnerable after all. You've come to know that love isn't just giving your heart to someone, it's trusting them enough to not break it. Trusting someone is something you'll eventually get over, perhaps that'll be part of your next journey. You made fabulous guy friends and have made an amazing circle of girlfriends. You have life long friends and you know you're lucky.

There's a few things your 20-something self doesn't want you to forget...

~ Count your blessings. There are always more than you think.
~ Never make someone a priority in your life when you are only an option in theirs.
~ You have chutzpah, use it.

If your twenties are made for breaking hearts, discovering happiness, making mistakes, learning the ropes, losing your marbles, and winning achievements, may your thirties be made for perfecting all this. The next ten are gonna rock. Be ready.

xxoo,
Brand New 30 Me