Dear Miss Margaret,

Knowing you, you are thinking that reading a letter from the future is impossible, but I know how you carved the date into that little white chair in your room. Don’t worry; mom still has it. I know that you secretly started to shave your legs because a boy at school told you that you look like a woolly mammoth (Don’t shave above the knee. No one notices.) I know that you keep a diary in your pillow case and that each day you use a different color pen. Do you believe me yet?

I am not writing to you to tell you who and what to watch out for or what your future is like. I want you to make every single mistake, but I want you to know how to cope with each one better than I did.

Before I begin, I want to point out that your acne will not go away by the time you graduate from the eighth grade like everyone is promising. That is the biggest lie mom and grandma will ever tell you.

I want to start with that “popular crowd” you are so obsessed with. The ones who tell you that you are only pretty without your glasses, that only nerds follow the dress code, that point out every piece of your hair that you missed with the straightener, and that tell you are so skinny that you could pass for a boy. I know that you feel like you are beneath them, but let me tell you this. Two of them are pregnant and two dropped out of school. Don’t look at them with envy. Don’t dwell on their comments. Having few friends is better than having an abundance of false acquaintances.

Speaking of the popular kids, that boy you have a crush on feels the way he acts—uninterested. I know you won’t believe me, but when he breaks your heart down the road, just remember that love and heartbreak are two different things. I beg you keep your heart open even though it will bleed for a long while. But won’t lie to you. When he tells you sweet things, laughs with you, listens to you read your poetry, and calls you when you are asleep, you will feel utterly beautiful. I don’t want to rob that from you, but I want to know that the outcome is not your fault no matter what he tells you.

I know you are self-conscious about mom. I know that people tell you that the relationship is wrong; that it won’t last. I know that you hide yourself away so you don’t have to answer anyone’s questions. You will figure it out soon, but a lot of people will not care, and those who do are not worth your time. You are about to meet some amazing people, and guess what? They love mom and Cheryl.

I don’t want you think I am only remembering the negative parts of your life, but I guess I can’t help but think of how much better it gets. I know I said I wouldn’t tell you about the future, but you are going to meet so many great people who truly love you. You are going to accomplish so much in such a short amount of time. I know that you don’t see it now, but when you look in the mirror one day, you will feel proud. You will feel strong. You will feel beautiful.

Love,

The one who loves you most.