Dear Two-Year-Old Me,
Surprise! You get twin siblings. They, as well as your older brother, will be simultaneously the absolute best and most annoying people in your life. Love them fiercely, they’re here for the long run. Try not to gang up on them too much with your older brother. The four of you are going to be the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Regardless, you’re going to be the biggest support to one another for the rest of your lives.
(P.S. during hide and seek, the best hiding place in the house is in the cabinets below the sink. Hide there while you can, you get too big for that spot very quickly.)
Dear Five-Year-Old Me,
Kindergarten is the bomb.com. Cherish the adventures in the forest preserve across the street. Take long walks, pester mom for a dog, catch the fireflies (but please let them go, there’s nothing more disappointing than waking up to a mason jar filled with dead bugs). Don’t get too serious, no matter what the older kids say; never stop playing your make believe games just in order to fit in. Also, you ROCKED those maroon velvet pants and velcro shoes.
Dear Eight-Year-Old Me,
Not being invited to that one girl’s party isn’t going to ruin your elementary school social life. You don’t even like Libby Lu anyways. Don’t worry about being left alone on the playground for long, that one new girl will become your absolute best friend for the next decade-plus. You're going to learn that one good friend is much more valuable than dozens of meaningless ones.
Dear 10-Year-Old Me,
Enjoy the last few moments of pure, unadulterated childhood before the teenage angst sets in. Do summer swim team, be a goof ball, but try not to annoy your coaches too much. Your 15-18 year-old self will understand what that means later on when you're in charge of the younger kids as a coach.
Dear 13-Year Old Me,
Your parents are embarrassing, that’s okay, appreciate them while you can. And for the love of god, stop forgetting your folders at home. Calling mom and dad to drop it off at school is extremely annoying. Enjoy the last moments of middle school, don’t be afraid to switch from gymnastics to swimming, it’s all going to work out in the end, you’ll be flipping again soon. Embrace the inevitable awkward stage, band camp is going to be the sh*t.
Dear 15-Year-Old Me,
High school is dramatic, try not to add to the chaos of it all. Be open to meeting new people, there are some awesome individuals that are going to be there for you through thick and thin. There are also some people that will make life harder for you. Learn that you can’t be friends with everybody, and remember that not everyone is worth your time. Be there for your friends, sometimes sitting in silence just showing your support by offering your shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold is a thousand times more helpful than half-hearted bull shit advice. Try new things, but don’t overcommit. You’re going to need to sleep once in a while.
Dear 17-Year-Old Me
This year is going to be hard. Remember that your Dad always loved you. Your friends and family are going to be your lifelines for this year. Be courageous. You are loved. Know that it's okay to break down, after all, you're human, people want to help more than they want to judge. Don’t be afraid to take the huge leap to apply early decision to a school in a state you have never been in. It’s going to be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.
Dear 18-Year-Old Me,
You’re going to make some mistakes, it’s alright to mess up, let people in. Boys aren’t the end of the world. Stay in contact with the important people once you leave for school. Call mom, she misses you and actually gives really good advice. More than anything, it’s okay to not be okay. Seek help, don’t use your past misfortunes as a crutch. Dive in headfirst, take a risk, and embrace the unknown.
Love Always,
Mary Rose
