5 Things I'd Tell My Younger Self

5) You don’t have to be perfect. Really, you don’t. Say ‘yes’ to fun, skip a homework assignment, take a long drive with a friend…because what you’re going to remember are the moments you spent with your loved ones, not the essays you wrote in AP English. Your achievements in your relationships are the ones that matter. Nobody remembers the ones on paper.

4) You are beautiful. Others think so too; you just don’t allow yourself to see it. Straighten your shoulders, walk with your head up, look people in the eye…you have absolutely no reason to be so shy.

3) That guy you think you want to marry? You totally should. It’s going to be even better than you expect.

2) You will be a mama one day. It might not happen when you want it to, and you will certainly feel like it can’t happen soon enough. But don’t let that desire take over your life. There’s a lot of living to be done in the meantime.

And it’s worth the wait.

1) You have an amazing journey ahead of you. Some days will be hard, some days will be easy, and some days will just be. But they are all intended to strengthen you, teach you how to love, give you purpose, and open your eyes. This is when being a good student matters.