To my awkward, middle school self,

Yes, hi, I am talking to you. I’m writing to you as a sophomore in college, and the first thing I think you need to know is that you are so incredibly happy. Let that sink in for a few seconds, because honestly I’m as shocked as you are. Middle school is tough. It’s awkward, uncomfortable, and it’s just plain awful. Don’t get me wrong there are good times along this bumpy road, but it is, without a doubt, a bumpy road. I just want you to know that it gets better; you’re going to get through this and you're going to enjoy it!

You’ll get past the part where you wear rainbow eye shadow and those shorts with the word “hottie” across the butt. You’ll stop texting “lol” every other word and using words like “YOLO” and “swag”. You’ll get past the part where you think being “cool” and “popular” are the most important things in life. You’ll get through trying to find your true friends, with a little help from mom. You’ll get through the stacks of homework, only to be assigned MORE homework in high school. You'll even get to the point where you can no longer fit into Abercrombie and Aeropostle clothes and no, this isn't a bad thing.

But I promise it gets better. I want you to know that high school isn’t a scary place. Sure, it’s a little intimidating at first, and you’ll forget your locker combination the first day you get there, but it’s okay. You’ll survive.

In fact, you’ll do more than survive. You’ll THRIVE. High school is where you’ll find your passion for art and history. It’s where you’ll meet some amazing friends, and even start a few relationships along the way. It’s where you’ll go to your first homecoming, your first football game, and start your first job. It’s where you’ll be named captain of the volleyball team, be part of the yearbook staff, and join about a hundred different clubs.

I don’t want to spoil all the fun, but I promise you, you’re going to love high school. You’re going to have the time of your life, and when the day comes for you to put on that cap and gown, it’s going to be tough to say goodbye.

But don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of memories to look back at, and plenty more to make.

So yes, right now, middle school maybe isn’t your time to shine but that’s okay, one day it will be. That’s why I wanted to write this letter because recently, I’ve been realizing how fast time flies and I realized that I never really stopped to appreciate middle school. It’s awkward, it quirky, but it’s the very beginning of when you decided who you were going to be.

And I think that deserves some recognition. Without those three very long, very uncomfortable years, you wouldn’t be the person you are today. You’ve had plenty of trials and tribulations but they’re worth it in the end.

Later in life, like I am right now as I write this letter, you’ll question what changes you could’ve made, what you could have done differently to make someone stay, or to make a relationship, or how to land that job that you desperately wanted. But there are no answers.

You see, I’ve realized that change, unfortunately, is inevitable. You’re not always going to have the same friend group or the same boy to make googly eyes at. People come and go, and you’ll see that sometimes it’s for the better. The girl who was your best friend in middle school was great for you at the time, but once you got to high school, things seemed to drift apart. Don’t worry, you’ll still ‘like’ each other’s Instagram photos, but you won't be as close as you once were. It’s okay for relationships to grow and change, they're suppose to.

Just like you.

What I’m trying to say is that, there are things in your life that will happen and while they’re happening you’re going to be scared and confused and upset. I know, change is terrifying, but just trust me when I say that it gets better. You’ve got so much to look forward to, and from my future self to my past self...enjoy it. Make the most of absolutely every opportunity and experience.

And so, a final word of advice: stop wishing you didn’t tower over all your friends because that’s it. You’re done growing. Enjoy 5’5” when it’s considered “tall”.

And PLEASE, for the love of all future Timehop notifications, please drop the crazy make up. You’ll thank me later.

Good luck, I know you'll do great!