Dresden,

Hey. It's me, 18 years old and in college. Guess what? You made it. You're still kind of weird and awkward, but apparently thats "cool" now. So until that day comes, here's a bit of hope, advice and inspiration.

1. The nickname "Hale Whale" pretty much goes away in high school.

2. Do not cry in the Abercrombie dressing rooms. You will never be able to fit into those. Try jeggings.

3. Mother was (and always will be) right. You should stick to wearing Roxy rash guards and tankinis. Maybe wait on the bikinis.

4. Denim shorts: just because they button, doesn't mean they fit.

5. If basketball shorts are too tight...you probably shouldn't wear them.

6. The same rule applies for gauchos...

7. Just because Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies contain the word "oatmeal," it in no way means they are healthy for you.

8. Same goes for Cosmic Brownies. Cool it on the brownies. 

9. You will forever and always hate pool parties. 

10. Celebrities will not fall in love with you because you have a "great personality."

Nope. He didn't fall in love.

11. You will be as tall as/taller than most of the boys for awhile. (see above)

12. People will eventually laugh at your jokes... Eventually.

13. Reading The Clique books does not make you a cooler person. 

14. Standing around the outskirts of the "cool kids" circle and listening to their weekend plans at recess does not make you apart of the cool kids. It also does not mean you have an invite.

15. When watching High School Musical, you will think you're going to be Gabriella. Realistically, you're the girl with hip-hop dreams, Kaycee.

"I love to pop and lock and jam and break!"

16. Don't sulk when your *multiple* crushes like another girl and then listen to "Teardrops On My Guitar" for 4 hours straight.

17. Eating 4 of the "100 Calorie Snack Packs" no longer makes them "low calorie"

18. Thin-wired glasses are not the best look on you.

Also, just accept you can't pull off a middle part right now.

19. Don't judge your self-worth based on how many guys are texting you. 

20. Spoiler alert: you grow out of it. Yes, your rolls turn into curves.

21. One day, you will end up laughing at your chubbiness and posting pictures of your weirdness to Twitter.

22. It does get better.

23. Most importantly, remember: you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14