Hey Mom and Dad.

It's probably weird that I'm putting this in an article, but I hope that other young adults will be inspired to have open conversations with their loved ones about where they are in life.

Let me start by saying what I feel is most important: I love you both with all my heart. You have raised me to be a successful, joyous and fulfilled young woman. I am so thankful for your guidance and leadership. You have always taught me from a Biblical worldview which was the best decision you could have made because it allowed God into our home to shape my young heart. You made our home a place of learning, laughing and lots of hugs. I will never be able to repay you for the immense love you have covered me in.

I'm turning 21 in a few weeks. I'm sure as parents, you've thought about it, and to be honest, I don't really know how you feel. Maybe you're scared for me. Maybe you don't have any reservations at all! I feel sure you'll tell me, but as the person about to enter a new phase of life, I just want to say that I'm more scared than you are. I know you probably don't believe that for a second, but it's true! I am worried sick about what my twenties will look like from here on.

Anxiety takes over when I even begin to think about all the decisions I have to make in the next few years.

But, I know that Christ is holding my world together, not me. And so, I can trust Him with my future. And I know that you have both been trusting Him with my future since day 1 of my life.

I humbly ask that you also trust me with this next chapter. I will fail so many times over the next year. I really, truly doubt that looks like the worst-case scenario that I know just popped in your head, but I will fall short. I am learning how to run to my Heavenly Father when that happens and allow Him to prune dead branches that are just getting in the way of my spiritual growth. I also pray for victories along the way that let me know I'm headed in the right direction. I cannot wait to celebrate with you as I reach more milestones along the way.

God and I have had a lot of talks lately about the woman I want to become, and how to achieve my personal goals. God also gave me the alcohol talk. I needed to have it with Him before I have it with you. But seriously, I've prayed a lot about whether or not to drink at all. And ultimately, alcohol bears no real significance in my life, and I doubt it ever will. It's not incredibly appealing to me. However, I may have some wine on occasion or even go to a local bar with my friends and dance it out with disco fingers and raise-the-roof hands. This probably sounds suspiciously low-key, but anyone that knows me knows I am an old woman at heart and really all I want is a cup of hot tea and a book. That's just the truth, Mom and Dad. I really just don't give a crap about drinking.

I want you to know that I'm not saying this because I think it's what you want to hear. This is what I believe and these are the boundaries I've set for myself after meditating on what God wants for me and what I want for myself.

I hope this encourages you. It might not, and that's fine with me. Just know that I want to make you proud by making my sweet Jesus proud first and foremost. I'll see you soon. Let's celebrate with a Racko championship and a consignment store haul.

xoxo.