There is a writing prompt up at Twenty-Something Writers that I decided to do. Not only could I win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble bookstore, but I get to write a letter to my younger self. I always find these fun & entertaining. For the prompt, I’ve decided to go back ten years and write a letter to my ten-year-old self.

Dear Self:

You are now ten-years-old; the double digits, I know you’re proud. I have a lot to tell you, so let me just jump right in.

For starters, you may hate those freckles now, but you’ll grow into them. Just know that if you put lemon juice on your face and stand in the sun, they will not disappear. I promise. Nothing is going to get rid of them, but they will fade with age. By that point, though, you’ll love them and so will everyone else. You won’t even notice them when you look in the mirror; they will be a part of you. And so will your cute little nose that you think is so huge.

You’re not going to get much taller; get used to this now. You’ll stop growing in the seventh grade at 5′1″, but people will love you for your height. Also, you are NOT fat. Stop listening to your cousins when they say you are.

A lot of things are going to happen in your life. For starters, you’re going to move out-of-state. At first, you may hate it, but I promise, it will become your home. You will want to live there and nowhere else. You will make some of the best friends, and your granny will be right: you will meet your husband there–though it won’t be the person you think it is, at first.

A few years after moving out-of-state, something major will happen in your life. It will probably be one of the hardest things you have to go through, but I promise, you WILL get through it. You won’t be completely alone; you will find your true self; you will grow. And one day? You’ll look back at it with memories of fondness, rather than the sadness you will be overcome with throughout it all.

I know your little sister is annoying now, but she’ll be your best friend someday. And your little brother will become just as annoying, but by the time you move out, he will be a best friend as well. You will love them as if they were your own children, though I know that’s hard to believe now.

You will fall in “love.” You will have a broken heart a time or two. Don’t let it bring you down. I promise, you’ll be happy in the end. You know that curly-haired boy you’re always imagining that couldn’t possibly exist? Well, he does exist, and he will be yours. Someday. Be patient. I know, I know. Patient, what?! I mean it, though.

I know you probably want me to tell you what to do to change everything so you won’t have to go through all of the sadness, BUT I won’t. You will like who you are when you are me, and changing anything will change everything. You will have no regrets, though. You’ll be happy. Everything will end up okay. Remember that.

Love,
Your Twenty-Year-Old Self