Hey, you.

Or I guess I should say hey, me. I'm you, just from a few years down the road. You have no idea what I would give to go back and tell myself what I know now so this is the closest I could get to that.

First off, let me start off by saying how proud of you I am of you for making it as far as you have. I know things are tough right now but I swear that things do get better. I know that you're feeling as low as you ever have but listen to me: you deserve to be happy and put yourself first.

I know that your "best friends" have hurt you a time or two, but all you can do is roll with the punches and realize that they might have something going on in their life that makes it seem like they don't care about you. Trust me, they do. They're going to be there for you through anything and everything so why wouldn't you be there for them? I mean, why else would you have gotten matching tattoos?

High school can be tricky, I understand, but you're doing just fine. You're going to get into the college of your dreams and you're going to prove everyone wrong. It's not the end of the world if you fail a test. Your mental health is so much more important than some grade. Your GPA and your ACT score does not define you!

This is going to hurt so bear with me: you're going to wreck your first car. Yes, the one that you've absolutely fell in love with. Your Jeep is your baby, I know. But there's going to come a day when you hit that curb on a dirt road a little too fast. You'll be okay. Please wear your seatbelt every time you get in the car. Cars are replaceable; you're not.

Baby girl, he's not the man of your dreams, I'm sorry. Please listen to what everyone is trying to tell you. Your momma's first instinct is always right. Please realize your worth. I know that "he knew just the right things to say" and in a moment, your innocence was gone. You do not have to stay with him just because of that. If you're not happy, leave. Please please please be able to tell the difference between over controlling and protective. The second you feel like you're nothing, like you "deserved it," please get out. And if he's got a guitar, well, run, baby, run.

Enjoy high school while you can because it really does fly by. Spend as much time with the friends who have become family. Go to the football game, work the concession stand at the basketball game, go to the track meet, any school event, just go. You're going to miss it.

Put everything you've got into the sport you're playing because you don't have much longer with it. Enjoy every practice, every early morning workout, every hour of conditioning, every win, every loss, everything. Take it all in.

Thank your parents. They were right. They're always going to be right. You don't know everything like you think you do. I hate to be the one to break that to you. In a few years, you'll be grown and moved off on your own-- it's great, don't get me wrong-- but you're going to miss your parents always being right there. So much.

Overall, more than anything, just enjoy life. Take every opportunity that you can. Spend time with your friends. Go to Panama City. Go to the party. Take pictures. Never be afraid to call your dad when you've had one too many to drink; he's always going to be there for you no matter what. Love yourself. Love your friends, love your family, love your teachers, love your coaches, love everyone. Let go of negativity and toxic people who only bring you down. Spread good vibes. You were born to be wild and you were meant for greatness and I'll be damned if that's not how you turn out.

I'll always be your biggest supporter.

Love,

You.