Letter

I think it started with a country song that, of course, I don't know the name of. And I've gotten several of these letters from friends, and seen them on blogs. Letters to your younger self. I've seen letters to self at ages 15, 17, 18 and 20. And rather than clean my house, or do laundry, I'm writing 18 year old self a letter.

Dear Kierstyn,

Right now, you are 18. Though it's only been 10 years, I've learned a lot, and thought I'd share a few things with you now, to give you a heads up.

In 10 years you will be married to Curtis. Yeah, Curtis from youth group. Curtis who is at A&M, but still likes to come home every weekend. Curtis who hasn't said 20 words since you met. This summer, God will do amazing things in you both. You will grow in ways you hadn't imagined. Don't analyze it, just be thankful.

In the next few months to a year, we will do things that will seems really hard. Starting college, working 25 hours a week, picking a roommate (which, by the way, you do a great job at!), having a long distance relationship. And though all these things will seem really hard, and it feels like a lot, know that God is just growing you and preparing you for much more trying times. Embrace the bad times, lean on your family, trust in God, and you will continue to grow and learn more.

Marriage will happen earlier than you might be expecting it. And marriage will be a lot harder than you expect. But every effort, tear, and prayer that you put into your marriage will pay off. Work hard at your marriage, even when times are easy!

Enjoy those easy times, the times when it's just you and your husband. The times when you just have one child. Though the times when you have more children will be wonderful, it's not as easy. You lose a lot of your freedom, but find more of yourself than you've every imagine possible.

You may not think it now, but you're skinny. Oh, so skinny!!! Rather than stressing about your weight or how you look, work on building healthy habits that will reward you when you're way too tired and stressed to think about being healthy. Know that no matter how you look, the people who really love you will always love you.

Get to know your mother-in-law better. Remember that she does love you, she does care for you and your husband, and even though her ways of showing you love might not be "normal" and you might find them a little pushy, cherish the time you have with her. Don't be so critical of her.

Go with your gut on your major. It works out well!

Quit complaining about being in Texas. You're going to be here for awhile. May as well be positive!

The friends you have now are great, but they aren't going to be your best friends. Soon, you will begin to be blessed by people who will stay your friends forever. And then hold on, because God still has more amazing friends to bless you with.

It's going to be a busy ten years! But it's an amazing ten years!

Kierstyn