Dear 16 Year Old Me,

I promise that from here it will get better. Maybe not all the time, but it will. I am here to tell you so many things that I wish I had known. 16 year old me I want you to listen to these things very closely.

First off I promise that the boy you are about to love for the next year or so is not worth it, but love him it teaches you so much. I want you to know that it will hurt and you will cry a lot, but he makes you stronger. He makes you become the girl that you are today and always will be.

Secondly I promise that you are beautifully and wonderfully made. You may not always see that even once you have moved off to college it is hard, but I promise all the time you are spending hating yourself could be spent doing so much more. You are not fat I promise your hair looks fine down and you don't need to keep covering your beautiful freckles.

Third don't do it. If mom told you it was a bad idea I promise she is right. I know that you are young and stupid, but mom was right so stop. Just stop that now and be the child of God you really are because I promise you don't want that mistake under your belt. Mom knows a lot more than you give her credit for.

And lastly don't give up. So many times you want to give and so many times we did. Don't let go of your dreams you are still young enough to get started. Sing that song. Play that violin loud. Be you 16 year old me because I promise that giving up will be your biggest mistake.

Oh and 16 year old me. Don't I repeat Don't let anyone tear you down. You do you because God made you so beautifully don't let that go.

----Sincerely,

the more mature version of you