To my teenage self,
You are trying so hard to fit in, to make friends, to be cool; just relax. Please, relax. I wish I could hug you and tell you that it’s all going to work out. I know it seems like the most important things right now are to be the most popular, the skinniest, the best, have the most friends, wear the coolest clothes, drive the newest car but one day you’ll see that those things are just things. And they don’t matter after you walk out the doors with your diploma in hand.
You’re not going to make the cheerleading squad and you aren’t good at sports. Life is tough. I’m sorry.
You are wise beyond your years in some ways and too naive and guillable in other ways. It’s a tough combination and if you aren’t careful, if you don’t step just right, it could get you into a lot of trouble. Make the right choices. Are you still listening? I think it deserves to be repeated, make the right choices.
I wish I could show you a picture of yourself in 10 years. Jennifer, you wouldn’t believe the woman you become, you wouldn’t believe the family you have, the person you see when you look in the mirror. She is so far from anything you can imagine. And while I might be a little biased towards her, I think you are going to love her and be proud of her.
Listen to your parents. It’s because they’ve been there, they’ve made these mistakes and they don’t want you to make them. One day you’ll see. Oh, and tell them that you love them and appreciate them. Because one day you’ll be holding a newborn daughter with tears streaming down your cheeks because you finallly get it.
Quit trying to impress people. You will see about 3 of the people in your graduating class on a regular basis. You will still call them on their birthday and stand beside them with tears in your eyes as they get married. You’ll plan showers for their weddings and their babies. They might move across the country but you’ll still be able to call each other on the phone and pick up right where you left off.
On a lighter note, let me give you a head’s up on a few little details (you always did love a good list, right?):
- Pay attention while you’re driving. After about the third time you wreck your car your dad does make you drive it that way for a while.
- Go ahead and skip 4th block with Kristy every once in a while. They never find out and you make some great memories with your friends.
- Don’t complain about that camping trip with your parents that they insist you go on for Spring Break. You’ll meet a guy there and he’s sort of a big deal, his name is Allen. He’ll play a big role in the rest of your life.
- Your brother is going to make you late for school almost every single day. Lay off of him a little, he’s just a kid. There’s a big age difference and he’ll still be little when you move out. Don’t take these days for granted.
- Pay attention to the gas light in your car.
- Your mom is always right. Just go ahead and assume your dad is too. This is always the case, even when you think otherwise. You’ll get to do a lot more and it will save you a few arguments.
Enjoy this time. Learn a few things as you go but always know that these years aren’t what defines who you will become. These years, they seem so big and important right now but they’ll be a distant memory soon. Live your life, do the right thing, hang out with your friends. Have fun on senior trip, soak it all in, make memories and cherish these times. You don’t have to be quite so dramatic. And you don’t have to cry over boys. You’re going to hit the jackpot in this area so move along quickly.
You’re going to be just fine.
Now go apologize to your mom for arguing with her about that dress you wanted for Homecoming. It’s way too short, she’s right.
Bethany Hutton says
Love this post!
[dianegatorfan] says
I love this Jennifer! I have a feeling that we will be having a lot more “Aha!” moments as the years pass and our kids get older. Like, Wow–now I know what my mom & dad were talking about all this time!
Jamie says
Can I just say thank you for writing this. Reading these have been fun and great to know. All teenagers should read this, thank you
Erin says
Beautifully written. It’s so funny now to look back to high school with all the worries and completely naive moments. I’d say you e turned out quite wonderfully.
MallorysThoughts says
I love this!! ๐ what a neat idea!
Jen Watts says
This is so sweet! And my teenage self did not want to listen to her parents either ๐