To Me (only younger):

Got the link from Maggie, who got the idea from Cassie. Bravo ladies. Love it and here is my letter to my 20 year old self:

Dearest Jenn:

Hi! Wow, big year for you! You lived in your first appartment this year and you managed to pay rent on time! (thanks to Mom) Heads up kiddo, she is going to be an even bigger help when it comes to your children. Yes, you have them but I won’t disclose how many because you will just get stressed out. About that, we are working really hard in therapy on the stressing so do yourself a favor and try to calm down a little. You are an incredibly important gal but I promise the world’s axis is not rotating on your shoulders so….go have some fun!

Thanks for not giving in to peer pressure this year. I know it was a really lonely year for you, but next year you will be so thankful that you chose the path you did. I will say however, a few drinks won’t kill you and might save you a little late-twenties rebellion episode whereby you puke in some bushes…on a business trip. yikes. Also, the whole working 3 jobs and putting yourself through school thing? You rock. You didn’t have to do that, you could have just gone to beauty school. You would have been good at that too but I promise the school thing will pay off. You are going to graduate with honors which is awesome and you are going to achieve a lot in a short time. We did well for ourselves babe! You are going to be successful at whatever you put yourself into because of the hard work you are doing right now. I owe you for that. Kuddos.

So, boys. I know you are facing some disappointment in a certain someone right now. I wish I could show you how a year from now you will be so thankful that you two grew apart. In fact, 5 years from now there will be a really sweet moment *spoiler alert* where you run into this person. When you drive away, you are going to feel damn good about the choice you made and how it all turned out. Hang in there.

As for prince charming, thanks for believing that he exists. When you meet him, don’t be suprised if he doesn’t appear to be much more than a friend at first.  (Hint: the good ones never do) He will turn out to be a damn good man and an even better father to your kids. Also, when you meet your mother in-law to be, make sure you let her know how much you love her. She is going to be a big part of your life and she isn’t around for long enough. Soak in her grace and knowledge and ask her lots of questions about the family, she is going to take a lot with her when she goes. Hug her more than you think you should.

Keep running, it will turn out to be your best stress reliever and the thing that gets through some of your tough times. Call Grammy, she misses you and she isn’t going to be around forever. Also, that tiny bikini you bought this year but are too scared to wear for fear of looking fat – PUT IT ON!  HELL, WEAR IT TO CLASS GIRL! You look damn good!

Now, stop reading this and go to Allison’s room and ask her if she wants to go get a Big Gulp of Diet Coke. On your way to 7-11, turn up No Doubt as loud as possible and sing I’m Just A Girl until your throat is raw. You will never have a fonder memory of this time.

Jenn

Related posts:

1. My personal timeline – Junior High version
2. Keeping it real in 09′
3. Cha-Cha-Changes
4. 3 miles and nearly 30 years
5. The name, not the style