I know that many of us often think: "Man, I wish I knew that when I was younger!", myself included! Being a senior in high school, I am able to see life in a much different perspective than I did just three years ago as a freshman. I believe that if we had the opportunity, we'd all write a letter to our younger selves with words of encouragement, and lessons galore. I can't write a letter to myself and send it back in time, but if I could, it would look something like this:

Dear freshman me,

I promise you that life will work out exactly how it's supposed to, and in the most perfect way. Don't waste time worrying about how you will achieve your goals, believe in yourself and you will achieve them. Remember that you can never get this year back; the year where everything is new, where you have all of high school ahead of you. Enjoy every little moment...every football game, every cross country race, and every hangout with your friends who will soon take different paths than you. On the topic of friends, treasure the true ones. Don't waste time being sad over the ones who leave, or the ones who have changed since middle school. Be around the people who push you to be better, and who truly make you happy. These will be the people who will still be at your side in 3 years in caps and gowns, and beyond. Don't worry about what people think!!!! I can't stress this enough!!!! Speaking of stress, don't stress over school work too much, because honestly, this is the easiest it's going to get. So enjoy life a little more, and worry about that math test and that English paper a little less. I know that right now the topic of boys and boyfriends is a big deal, and I know you think that dream guy every romance book and movie portrays seems too good to be true. But trust me, a year from now, you are going to meet the most amazing, kind, patient, loving, understanding, faithful, and chivalrous boy; who surpasses any fictional character. So keep praying for him, and God will lead you to him in May 2018. After all, the best things are worth waiting for.

I hope that from this letter you can learn to enjoy being in the moment, to treasure your true friends, to be yourself, and to know that the best is yet to come. Lastly, it goes by fast, so don't blink.

-Future you