Seventeen, you were a tough age.

I found out that life changes, and you have to be ready to change with it. Change is a scary thing and at this age, I endured it a lot. I lost people for the better, and for the worst. I messed things up, I experienced heartbreak, I cried, I laughed; but, most importantly, I learned.

I learned how to pick myself up when things got hard. I learned who was worth being in my life, and who was not. I learned how to find my own worth at one of the lowest points in my life.

I'm a stronger person because of what I've lost, but even more so for what I've gained. God has a different path for everyone, and that's ok. When one door closes, another one always opens; finding that out the hard way was so worth it. But, like always, the tough times didn't last forever.

They say to surround yourself with the people who bring out the best in you, and that's exactly what I did. Anything that wasn't for my best interest, I walked away from. I also found that it is not selfish to walk away, ever. Knowing my worth only paved the way for finding better things in life, and I have.

Now, I embrace change; It no longer scares me, because it brought me to where I am now. Seventeen brought me closer than ever to my family and friends, and I even found my amazing boyfriend. All the things I'll forever be grateful for.

So here's to seventeen. I can't wait to see what eighteen has in store.