Hey there kiddo,

This is future you and I’m here to tell you that you’re going to be pretty happy when you get to this point in your life. You’re going to look around and not be able to help but smile. While that is the case let me give you 5 tips to keep in mind as you go on with your little life.

1. Love hard and love fully

You’re going to fall hard unexpectedly for some boys and that is ok. You’re going to break hearts, get your heart broken, and be put in some tough situations but you’ll get through it and you’ll learn some of the most important things about yourself from those hardships. Oh and it's ok to want certain things in your relationship, you aren't being needy or expecting too much. Do not change yourself for a boy, if you're doing that then he isn't your person.

P.S. That dream guy you wrote about in your journal in 6^th grade… he does exist and you’re dating him. He makes you even happier than you imagined he would and he treats you like the princess your grandma told you you were.

2. Accept yourself for who you are

You are unique, special, and beautiful in your own way. There is and only ever will be one of you and you need to soak it in. Someone calls you fat? Ugly? Useless? Shake it off, maybe they're going through a hard time themselves and are saying these things to make themselves feel better. Don't let the mean words of a 5th grade bully affect the way you look at the girl looking back at you in the mirror. She's beautiful in her own way and has an amazing heart. The people worth your time will see that.

By the way...

Don't feel like you always have to wear makeup, go without it here and there and I promise you it will be the Best. Thing. Ever.

3. Moving may suck now, but it will be one of the best things to happen to you

I know the constant moving sucks more than anything right now and you just don't think it will ever work out the way you want it to but trust me when I tell you that it will. It will make you the person you are today and give you a great personality.

Oh! And not to mention that going off and having to make friends in college will be a breeze to you since you have had to move like 8 times at that point! So don't get too mad at mom and dad, believe it or not they do feel bad about making ya leave your favorite places but it will be ok... I pinky promise!!

4. Hug mom, dad, Jakey, and the sisters as much as possible... even when they annoy you

When you're sitting in your dorm room all you're going to want to do sometimes is cuddle up next to Jakey or walk over to give your mom and dad a hug. Never ever ever take them for granted because they could be taken from you so easily.

And as for the two sisters... oh goodness. Try, really try to not name call and get sassy with them. Believe it or not they will actually miss having you around all the time, shocker I know?!?! All jokes aside this has been and forever will be the people that would do anything and everything for you. Never let them go a day unappreciated.

5. Let go of those toxic people

These people aren't worth any time out of your day or any bit of your breath. You deserve to be surrounded by people who push you to be better than you were yesterday and continue to make you a better you. If someone is dragging you down, drop them. They just aren't worth it! It sometimes is not the easiest thing to do but trust me when I say that surrounding yourself with good, whole hearted people will change you for the better.

Well that's all I have for you! Like I said, I don't think you will be very disappointed with your life when you get to this point. You are surrounded with amazing people who love and care for you. Keep your head up girly, the hard days will be worth it.

XOXO,

Madison