It’s the first day of sixth grade and you’re late to school. The teacher gives you a mini lecture on responsibility and being on time. Even though you’re embarrassed right now, thank her because from now on when you’re late to class, you’ll remember her words of wisdom. Later this year, you’ll be called fat for the first time, and you’ll believe it. You’ll stop eating because you think that’s the answer. You just don’t understand why you don’t look more like her; why your hair isn’t curly like her’s or why your stomach isn’t flat like her’s. You hope one day you’ll have all those things. If only you knew that you’re always going to have moments where you feel inadequate, but you are perfect just the way you are.

You were fearfully and wonderfully made, I wish you could just rest in that. This is also the year that you’ll work up the nerve to join the basketball team. You know you’re not particularly great at it, but you stick with it. You’ll make some of the best friends you’ve ever had. You know that one that keeps inviting you to church? Go with her. She’ll soon become the one you call when you’re upset. The one that you can tell anything to. She’ll be the first friend that encourages you to be the best that you can be. Cherish her and never forget to tell her how thankful you are for her. And because we know you’re stubborn and probably won’t say yes until the twenty billionth invitation, when you eventually say yes to going to church, you will meet some of the amazing people. You know that short girl that doesn’t really have a place yet? Invite her to sit with you during service, believe me, she’s a keeper. That brunette that loves her combat boots and bandanas? You’ll have your ups and downs, but she’ll always be there no matter what. Those boys that you’re so nervous to talk to, just talk to them. They’ll end up being like your brothers so don’t go confessing your undying love for any of them, social functions are already awkward. Eighth grade formal will come along soon and you’ll wear the pinkest, poofiest dress you can find; you'll practically look like you belong on top of a cake. The night will be fabulous and you’ll receive the award “Most Likely to Succeed in High School.” You can’t imagine graduating from any other school. You'll swear that walking across the stage in a purple robe will be the happiest day of your life. Little do you know, that summer your best friend will call to tell you she’s switching schools. After some tears and talks with mom and dad, you’ll realize that you want to switch, too. It’s a scary step, you’ve been with the same classmates since kindergarten but trust me, you’re gonna meet more amazing people that will constantly bless your life. You’ll find friends that help you survive long nights of studying and group projects. You’ll find your soul sister, the one that understands, well, your soul. You’ll bond over your love of Grey’s Anatomy and Taylor Swift and she’ll inspire you more than she’ll ever realize. Always remember to never take her for granted.

You’ll find some amazing peers that are sure to change the world. Be open to the change, because with it comes some of the best moments of your life. At the end of junior year, your best friend will tell you once again that she’s switching schools, this time it's a school 900 miles away. You’ll be angry at first, not with her, but at the fact this had to happen your senior year. You shouldn’t worry too much because she’s here for the long run; you’ll make the distance work. After you graduate in a navy robe, you’ll go to your second choice school, because your parents are convinced that your first choice just isn’t for you. Trust them, sometimes they do know best.

One day, you’ll be in a big city, all grown up, or at least you think you are and you’ll wish that you knew then what you know now. You’ll wish you wouldn’t have taken one second for granted. You’ll wish you wouldn’t have been squanderous of the person you were instead of wishing you could have be someone else. But most importantly, you’ll realize that all of the moments, good and bad, made you who you are and you wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.