Sissy,

I’ve been with you for your entire life. I touched Mom’s stomach when I was 4 years old and said: “I hope it’s a girl.” I got exactly what I wanted. I was an advocate for you being named “Collards” so I guess I didn't get exactly what I wanted, but we can just be thankful for that. This is the 3rd year that I have been away from college, and it has been one of the hardest. I think it has been so hard because for the first time I am not there with you to watch you go through such an important year. It’s your senior year and I’m far away. I have to experience your “year of lasts” with you through pictures and videos. I’m used to being there to live through important moments with you. So, I’m writing this letter to you so that I tell you the things I would tell you if I could be there with you for your senior year.

You are going to graduate soon. It won't be much longer until you are away from home flexing the long awaited “muscle of independence.” I know you are excited. Just 3 years ago, I felt those feelings. I was ready to leave home and start creating a new life for myself. The future was incredibly bright and I was running toward it without hesitation. However, I think at times the future might have been so bright that it blinded me to the present. So, my first piece of advice in this final year of high school would be to be present. There is something to be said for living in the moment. That’s not a bad thing. Sure, plan for future, but don't forget to exist NOW. You will always exist in the present. The future you look toward today will one day be the “here and now” so you need to learn to enjoy THIS moment or you'll miss moments in the future when they become the present. Appreciate your current situation. You will not be able to enjoy the present or future if you are regretting the past.

Value yourself. Love yourself. Self-Deprecating humor has a time and place, but don't get caught up in this culture of constantly insulting yourself to be funny. Take it from someone who does that far too often. Insulting and making fun of yourself will eventually shape the way you view yourself. Don’t measure yourself by any other human being’s standard. That gives others control of whether you are worthy, valuable, beautiful, successful, smart, funny… That control does not belong to them. You have the power to give or take that control. If you have to compromise yourself for the approval of others, then you have already given control to someone to whom it does not belong. Be better than that. Treat yourself better than that. You are worthy. You are valuable. You are smart. You are successful. You are special. I pray you believe that about yourself.

Notice that I did not say that “you are perfect.” You aren’t. No one is, and that is OK. That’s the cool thing about living in this world. No one is perfect so we have the opportunity to love people through their weaknesses and flaws. Even better than that, we have the opportunity to love ourselves through our own weaknesses and flaws. Never strive for perfection. Strive for your best because your best will always be good enough. I don't care if people say that your best falls short. Your best is something of which you can be very proud. Even if no one else is proud, I will always be proud. On that note, if you do not do your best, I will still be on your team. If you make a mistake, I will still fight for you and love you. Surround yourself with people who will do the same. Imperfection is a gift, and it is a gift we all share.

I am your brother so naturally I have to also talk a little bit about boys. Your worth is not founded in whether or not a boy likes you or thinks you are pretty. Your worth is not determined by whether or not you date someone or get married. You are a child of God. You are a princess in the kingdom of the one whose image you bear. You are not defined by being some boy’s girlfriend or some random person’s crush. Never let the opinion of a guy shape your opinion of yourself. You are you and the you that you are is enough. Also, I just don't think any guy will ever be good enough so there is that.

Well, I just could not possibly write down everything I could ever want to tell you. I hope you are enjoying your senior year. I hope you are loving life. I hope you are soaking up every piece of every moment. Love life. Choose joy. Value peace. Walk confidently. Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Love God. Love. Live. Enjoy. Breathe. Run. Be free. Enjoy this moment. Scream sing Katy Perry for me.

I love you forever and always. I am always on your team.

Love,

Bubba