EIGHTEEN

Today, I am Eighteen years old.
I have a custom of writing letters to myself on my birthday to myself in a year (I know, I know, it's weird.) So, today I read a letter from a year ago and I thought it would be fun to share bits of it with you. Here goes!

Dear Eighteen,
Wow. Right about now you'll be graduating high school. Are you scared? Because I am. I don't feel ready to face college and leave an environment that I only just feel comfortable with. I don't want to face the crisis that I expect will come soon. I'm scared, and you probably are too.

That explains pretty well how I STARTED this year, but fortunately, I don't feel that way anymore! I'm more self confident, and although I'm sad to be leaving high school, but I'm looking around the bend with excitement and not fear.

Give my love to Julie, She's been such an encouragement, an inspiration and reminder to pursue holiness. I hope you have had a wonderful year with her. Also, to Lindsey, who counts you as one of her best friends. Remember that, because I know sometimes you doubt it.

Despite the gagging at my overly sappiness, that is still true - Julie, you're still, if not more, awesome, and Lindsey, you are just as energetic, and I no longer doubt how much you love me (even though I still make you mad - now I just know you love me in spite of the mad-ness).

I've got to know, did you finish the Bible reading program? If not, try again, please.

Umm...I'm in the process of finishing. I'm about halfway through and hope to be finished at nineteen.

Eighteen, I don't know what the world has in store for you, but I promise you, God loves you and you are a confident, talented young lady. Go tell Ms. M I love her, and have a marvelous year, discovering the person we're about to become. Love, Seventeen

The sappiness of this letter aside, I did really enjoy considering how I've grown in the past year based on this letter and the thoughts it evoked. If I could go back it time, this is what I'd write in response.

Dear Seventeen,
Your senior year was a blast, as is should be, but not without it's pitfalls. I can't tell you how much you changed, but our confidence level from you to me is, like, tenfold. This past year, you learned a lot about studying the Bible - which really helped. This past year, you continued to strengthen your relationships with all of your friends.

Seventeen, I am so different from what you thought I'd be. Neither of us can imagine who Nineteen will be, but I'll bet she's taking the best of both of us forward with her into college and the rest of her life, and I'll bet she's thankful for the people who helped her along the way, just like I'm thankful for the people who transformed you into me. Love, Eighteen.