Since I wrote a letter to my 14-year-old self, I thought that it'd only be fitting to write a letter to my 40-year-old self.

Hello, and happy birthday.

I hope that you haven't become one of those wicked people who thinks that I have no advice to offer you. It's true that my ideas, thoughts, and advice are limited at this age, but when have I ever stopped myself from voicing my ideas anyway? I hope that you're still that same person who says what's on her mind, in a tasteful way, of course.

I hope that you are doing well for yourself and that you are enjoying life as it comes to you one day at a time, but always with a plan in the back of your head. I hope that you, or that we, rather, are content with where we are living, where we are working, where we are serving, and where we are worshipping.

I hope that you are still so happy to be a mom and a wife. I hope that you have beautiful people surrounding your life. I hope that you still have your best friend. I hope that you are proud of the decisions that you have made in your life. I hope that these years that have passed by have shaped you into the woman who you always wanted to be, whether that makes you the lady who owns over one hundred shades of lipstick, that lady who wears mom jeans, or the lady who always remained in her youth. I hope that you don't wear sweatpants every day. Then again, what's wrong with wearing sweatpants? I hope that you're just happy being you. I hope that you continue to be patient and loving with yourself.

I hope that you don't have too many wrinkles and I hope that you still love your tattoos. I hope that you have children who run their fingers over the ink on your skin and who ask questions about what it means. I hope that you have beautiful children who are sweet, kind, loving, intelligent, and God-fearing. I hope that you don't restrict them. I hope that you let them get dirty outside and have lots of pets. I hope that you sing them to sleep, hug them a lot, and tell them how much you love them.

I hope that you're better at being an adult. I hope that you're financially stable, organized, and wise. I hope that you never have to be worried about love, money, or happiness. I hope that you became a better driver and that you figured out how to fix things in your car on your own.

I hope that you still have dreams and that you haven't lost sight of them. I hope that you're still goal-oriented and that you seek after those goals to make them happen. I hope that you achieved some of your old dreams.

Above all else, above all of the small details and fragmented portions of our life, I hope that you have made a difference. I hope that you still make others happy. I hope that you're still a free spirit and willing to talk to strangers. I hope that you're still a hugger. I hope that the world hasn't left you to be cruel. I hope that you gave back to those who you love and I hope that you know that I love you whether our life looks like we had planned or if we took a few detours along the way. Wherever it is that we are in life, I hope that you know that it's okay and we're happy. We will love each other either way because we can smile at our choices and where they have brought us.

If, for some reason, you find yourself smiling a lot at this because you don't understand how someone can be so insightful at such a young age, pat yourself on the back.

Remember that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and that He is greater than our highs and lows.

Happy 40th, beautiful. Make the most of this incredible life that you've been granted. You still have so much more to live for, so much more to love, and so much more to see.