When I was in high school I had serious self-image problems. It seemed as though everyone around me was simply prettier, smarter, thinner, and just better at life than I was. Almost every morning I was late to school because I would spend almost an hour on my makeup just for the school day.

Looking back, I can't believe that I put so much effort into something that didn't even matter. Now don't get me wrong, I love to play with makeup, get dressed up, and have a fun night out on the town, but at this point, I wasn't going anywhere except to chemistry class. I felt this need to try and be like those other girls. I wanted to impress these people that I didn't even care about, and these people certainly didn't care about me.

I wish I knew that I didn't need makeup to feel beautiful. I wish I knew that the traits I had been given, were traits that have been passed down through my genealogy, and yes, I may have a rounded face, but so does my mom and my grandma. Why was I trying to hide in me, what I found so beautiful in my matriarchs?

I wish I knew that I didn't need to have boys fawning over me like those oh so popular girls had. Those boys didn't want anything other than something physical. I wish I knew that I was going to meet the love of my life and that he was going to take care of me, regardless of my makeup choices, or what I decided to wear that day.

I wish I knew that the people I thought I needed to depend on, didn't have my best interests in mind. I wish I knew that I didn't need to have tons of friends, because the ones that really mattered still are my friends to this day.

I wish I knew that I still had so much growing up to do, and that everything was going to be okay. I wish I knew that I had a strong future waiting for me. Everyone has a future waiting for them, be strong enough to wait for it.