Dear Abby,

Here you are, in your freshman year of college and you have no idea what is going on. You feel so out of place in your classes and so unsure of yourself. It's ok, I promise you. This letter is to thank you for everything you have done and to remind you that if you knew where you would be today, then you wouldn't be as afraid.

First, I want to tell you to not go to college in a relationship. You are going to meet so many new people and experience so many new things that you won't have time for it or him at all. Plus, this will save you the heartache you felt as you put distance between you two.

Don't put so much pressure on yourself!

I feel like I can't stress this enough for you at all! You think that you have to fit this mold of being "perfect". You feel that everyone has their crap together and you are the one who is a mess, but you're wrong! No one knows what they're doing in college!

THAT'S OK!!!!!

As for that older boy who caught your eye, IGNORE HIM. That boy has nothing but bad intentions for you in life. He will be your biggest heartache of all. And when he leaves to go to grad school, he won't care about you.

I know that that may sound harsh, but it will honestly save you so much pain and tears; not only throughout your freshman year but also for the years to come. It will also save you from hurting your future relationships with the trust issues he left you with.

Be happy!

Times are tough right now. There is a lot of tension going on at home, and I get that. But, you have to understand that it's not all one-sided. Open up to your parents, tell them about what's going on. They do love you, Abby. It may not feel like it, but they do. So much.

Don't hold everything in, either. Talk to someone.

It's OK to not be ok.

This letter isn't to criticize you by any means, and frankly, I am glad everything happened for a reason because in the past three years since freshman year, you have grown so much as a person. I look back at our life and I see can how much you have changed, and I'm not saying that as a bad thing either.

I love us, very much. I love you, Abby.

Please do not ever forget who you are or how far you will go in life. You truly are a shining star.

Always yours,

Abby