To my teenage self,
Ten years doesn't seem like a long time to you now. In fact, you can't wait to be 26 and having the time of your life and living the dream you have always imagined. However, life doesn't always work out like we planned. A lot has happened in these ten years and you become someone totally different than you ever expected, but I promise it is way better than you ever could have planned. I promise.
I know you expect heartbreak along the way, but most of it doesn't come in the form of boys. Most of it comes from finding out who your true friends are and losing people you care so much about. When you lose that group of friends who you thought you would spend the rest of your life with, no worries, you are about to fall so deeply in love with Christ and He will restore your broken heart and give you the heart to care about people in a whole new way. When the person you thought was your best friend is now someone you don't even know, you will realize those friends who have never left you and have been in your life for years are the ones who show you what a true best friend is like. You will learn that saying goodbye to loved ones and funeral homes only gets harder and never gets easier. Broken hearts are gonna happen but I promise you, it will only make you a better and more loving person.
Your parents are getting divorced. This you know. However, you are gonna meet the most amazing people through it. You will get a new family who feel like they have always been there. The word step won't even be in your vocabulary. You will learn family doesn't always mean blood and through this you will also have friends that will become like family. So remember, find your family and love them with all you have.
You make a lot of mistakes. Like, so many. I'm sure we will make plenty more. Just remember those that love you, will pray and lead you in the most amazing way. You will get mad at a few of them and tell them to leave you alone and let you live your life the way you want, but trust me, those people are the ones that will be there when you need them most. Life is gonna seem real crazy for a while and you won't know what way is up and what way is down, but just do your best to navigate and you get through it quite well. So make the mistakes because it is what makes you the person you are today. Regrets take up too much time and you meet some amazing people along the way. Just remember that God's arms are wide open and He is begging you to come back. Listen to Him.
In less than a year you are going to meet your best friend in one of the hardest times in your life. You two will bond over this and truly live life together. You will be her maid of honor on her wedding day and you will share many tears when life gets hard. This is someone who becomes family. Treasure this family and never waste a moment with them. Trust me, you will hold tight to each memory.
With all these speed bumps you also have some amazing times ahead of you. That niece you love so much? Well, you are gonna get two amazing nephews too! A few of your friends are gonna have kids and they will absolutely love calling you EE as well. You will have some of the most amazing people in your life and have so many adventures and memories with them. You will be terrible at taking photos to remember the memories so if you can, get better at that. Life is wonderful and you are on a great track. Life isn't about rewards but the memories you make. Love big lil Erica, it will take you on some great adventures.
