Dear 5-year-old self,
Right now life may seem so simple and that the world is this big beautiful place full of mysteries and unknown adventures. Well, part of that is true. Life is not as simple as it has always seemed, but the world is bigger and more beautiful than you could ever even know at five years old.
Little girl, I know that more than anything you dream to grow up one day, get married, and meet the perfect boy. Have a career and go to college.
Slow down. At five years old you have so much to learn and experience and to see.
The boy you like in kindergarten will not be the boy you like in 3rd grade, who will not be the boy you like in 6th grade. The boy you like will change 5 times in 9th grade, before you have an opportunity at a first love in high school. You still have your first heartbreak and the first time you will break a heart out ahead of you. One day in college maybe you'll meet the boy you are going to spend your life with, but we aren't far enough to know for sure at 19 years old.
Five-year-old me, yes, college is a great time full of new things and new friends. But enjoy growing up. Love the friends you meet along the way. Yes, they may come and go as you grow up. Just love each one and care for them as long as you can. Same with your family. You take cuddles with mom on the couch and car rides to the store with dad for granted.
Don't.
I guarantee that is something that once you are living on your own at college little girl, that you will wish you had done more of.
Little girl, what do you want to be when you grow up? At five, you want to be a princess right?
Soon it will be a veterinarian. Then a teacher, a dance coach, a lawyer, a stay at home mom, an actress, a journalist, and now a public relations coordinator. You do not have to decide at five years old. You get to explore and figure out what you want and who you are and what you think of the good and the bad in the world.
You still have so much pain and joy and love and disappointment and excitement to feel in this world. Your first kiss, first school dance, first day of high school, first cell phone, and first major goodbye. Little girl, you are so little and loved and needed, even if it doesn't feel like it all of the time.
As you grow up, five-year-old me, hold in your heart that the world will turn things to go your way and that what is meant to happen will always occur even if it hurts at the time, it is for the best.
Dear five-year-old me, stay little forever. I know you can't, but never lose the goofball that you are, or what a daddy's girl you are. Or the way you sing and dance around; no matter who is watching.
5-year-old me, I can't wait to go on this journey with you,
Love,
19-year-old you.
