Wouldn't it be great if each year on January 1st, all of our mistakes, faulty relationships, and bad habits were reset just like the calendar is? We could start each year with a great big bang by forgiving those who have wronged us, and asking for forgiveness for those we have wronged ourselves. Why don't we? For those who actually set new years resolutions, isn't the ultimate goal to be a better you in one way or another? Perhaps instead of pledging to eat less junk food to reach a spring break bod before March, we could focus on improving ourselves where it matters... on the inside.

Just as you watch a newborn baby look completely different from one day to the next, it's likely that adults are changing daily as well, but instead of by appearance it is by their heart. I wholeheartedly believe that people can change in the matter of a single minute. There are many series of events that can change you throughout time. Losing someone you love, meeting your soul-mate, being baptized and holding your baby for the first time are all things that can change people in just a few seconds, completely inadvertently. However, there is also change by choice. When you choose to accept your shortcomings, you truly have the opportunity to transform into a better version of yourself. The catch is that you have to make that decision for yourself. Nobody can change you, except you.

Can we all just take a moment to accept that who we were in high school is absolutely NOT who aannnyyy of us are now? Puberty, toxic relationships, rebellious attitudes, obsessive tendencies, and out of control hormones (let's be honest) kind of got the best of us all. However, I believe this was one of the first steps in making us into the person we really are, and the person who we want to be. So here is my open apology to every last person I knew from grades 7th-12th, I'M SORRY. I promise, I'm better now!

If you knew me 10, 5 or even 1 year ago, I can honestly state that you do not know who I am today. I am constantly evolving into a different version of myself. In fact, I think we all are. It's not fair to assume that I haven't learned from my mistakes. And it's also not fair to assume you know me if you are not actively a person in my life. I've surrounded myself with better people, I started letting things go, I started forgiving, and I started thinking of others before myself. I've taken a good look in the mirror at myself and I hope each day I continue to. I know that I will never be perfect, and I know that I can't even try to be perfect. But what I can do is try my hardest to be the best rendition of me. Perhaps you will like the new me, perhaps you won't.

If you choose to give me a second or maybe even a hundredth chance, I hope you find yourself pleasantly surprised. I hope we can move forward with a new friendship that the past does not drag down. Even though I am constantly changing, the love I've had for people throughout my life is never lost. If I know I have changed, I welcome the idea that you probably have to. So let's move on, be friends, forget the past and grab a coffee.

"So Hi, I'm ______2.0"