The picture I used for my cover picture is one that is kind of a joke in my friend group. The picture on the left is from my first day of sixth grade, and the right picture is my last day of senior year. 7 years apart. I did what I could to recreate the outfit and pose, all the way down to the crimped hair.

It's now been a bit over a year since I took that right picture, and I still get the giggles when I look at it. I thought I was so cute on that first day of school, but, as anyone with eyes can see, that was not the case. (I'd kill for that size waist again though).

Middle and High school weren't the greatest of times for me, but they weren't the worst either. I met some of the most amazing people and made some of the most amazing memories. Since these pictures were taken, SO much has happened,

I've changed as a person, I've moved across the country, I've met a slew of new people, and so much more. But I don't forget where I come from. Every once in a while, I find myself listening to country music, pulling on my boots, or letting a y'all slip out. No matter what you do, you must remember that no matter where you go in life or how much you change, the place you came from never changes.

A lot of people like to say that we shouldn't look back on our previous mistakes and such because there's nothing we can do about the past, but I would point out another quote "those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it". I understand that this is meant more in terms of horrific acts throughout history, but on a more personal level, there is no better way to learn than through our own mistakes. It stinks at the time, but there are just those moments when you're going to do something stupid, and the only thing that stops you is that blast from the past.

We can learn so much about ourselves by not being afraid to remember EVERYTHING that we once were, whether it keeps us on track or reminds us of what we NEVER want to be again. There was a time when I thought culottes were fashionable, short hair would look cute on me, boys would make sense, math would only ever be numbers, and so much more, but, here I stand.

It may be horrifyingly cringy, but don't forget to look back at who you were to help improve the person you have yet to become.