Dear 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Me,

Hey girl.

You may find yourself sitting in that uncomfortable uniform in a pew at church on a Friday morning. You're tired and all you can think about is that dance that will be in the gym tonight. You're so excited to get a chance to slow dance with a cute guy, wear your new Converse, and maybe use some of that new lip gloss (if Mom lets you!). You really don't want to be here, singing the same weird church songs like you do every week, so you escape to the bathroom.

But you take a look at yourself in that bathroom mirror and zero in on your flaws. You have a zit on your nose, your eyebrows are out of control, and your braces are reallllllly hurting your mouth after you got them tightened two days ago. Suddenly, you get that feeling in your stomach and get a little sad. You don't feel like you look good enough and if you don't look good enough for boys to notice, how will you ever be good enough in life?

Well girl, I'm here to tell you: IT. GETS. BETTER.

Those braces will be gone, as will the acne, and you'll get the hang of doing your makeup and hair. But even more important: You'll accept yourself.

You will learn to accept your flaws, because they are what make you beautiful.

Boys will talk to you and ask you out; mostly because they were as awkward as you were in junior high and hormones are a doozy, but you also become so much more confident that it radiates outside of you and when you find yourself beautiful, others do too!

Stay positive and hopeful, little Me. You'll find yourself among groups of people who build you up everyday. You'll be happier. You'll fight through the tough times and get help when you need it.

Times seem rough and awful right now, but just hold out a little longer.

Life is so much sweeter in the future, so hang in there, junior-high self.

Xoxo,
Present (or future?) Me