Dear Me, my 16 year old self. First off, let me say don't listen to your teachers and family... these years are NOT the best years of your life. Far from it, my dear. Those years are yet to come. The party and wild years in high school never were your thing. I thank you for that. You're an old soul, so you fit in much better in your future age. I also thank you for sticking with that cute boyfriend of yours. He turned out to be a pretty awesome husband. Do I need to remind you how lucky you are?
Thank you for not listening to those that said to date around. Or that you all would never make it. Congrats! You did! I'm not gonna lie and say it has always been easy, or that you don't have your fair share of fights. But you've never gave up on each other, and you are very happy. Getting married at 18 was one of the best decisions you've ever made. You've grown up with this guy, and now you are raising a family with him. You love him like crazy, but are not afraid of putting him in his place. Can I give you some meaningful advice though? Start training him to pick up his clothes out of the floor and do the dishwasher more. He still hasn't mastered that. ;) I will promise you this much, he will love you and fight for you like no one else. He always supports your crazy dreams, no matter what they are. It has to be said, that I thank you for never sleeping with anyone else. At 26, it's pretty awesome to say that you've only been with your husband. This is something I hope our daughter can take pride in one day. Yes, you have a daughter. Your dreams of ribbons, curls, pageants, and cheerleading came true. She is a spitfire and you made over. You also have 2 adorable sons, who keep you on your toes. Oh, and SURPRISE! You are pregnant with your 4th and 5th! TWINS AGAIN! How awesome is that?
Ok, ok, I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I don't wanna spoil all the awesome surprises you have in store over the next 10 years. So, let's rewind a bit. You shouldn't be so nervous over that driver's test. You will do just fine. But, you will get pulled over a couple times. And, congrats...you've managed to keep that little secret from your parents for 10 years now! Enjoy all those sleepovers with Elliot, Jessica, and Holly. You will miss those, a lot when you are older. Don't be such a chicken during tumbling class. You won't break your neck, I promise. Also, enjoy that body, girlfriend. Rock that orange bikini as often as you can. It has been replaced in the future by a solid black one piece. As I type this, those perky boobs of yours are having a seat in my lap. Their duty is now to feed babies...probably lots of them. But that's another story. ;)
You survived high school and all the drama that goes with it. Surprisingly enough, you do miss it. No, that's a lie. You still don't miss high school. You miss them. Because it is true what they say. You all grow up and take different paths. And don't keep in touch like you should. Make more time to call and text. Don't work too much or too hard. And don't too excited about that job in cosmetics at Victoria's Secret. You end up hating it and it only lasts a few weeks. ;) And you make much more money waitressing for now.
Stand strong in your beliefs. Don't ever be the "mean girl." Don't let opinions of others affect you. Always be kind, but let others know where you stand. But I'll be honest, sometimes, being stubborn and hard headed aren't your best traits, girlie. Don't be too prideful to say you are sorry. Choose your battles wisely, girlfriend. Especially those with your future mother in law. You don't hate her forever, I promise. Now that you have sons, you understand her a lot more. You actually get along wonderfully now that you're older and wiser. :) Kidding, Rhonda! Love you!
Another thing...Spend more weekends with nana and pa. Stay in your jammies and just enjoy the spoiling. Eat rotel and steak at midnight. Ask Pa a million questions and listen to all his stories. Thank Emily for all those pancakes on a stick that she bought you. And thank Jesus for letting you both survive when she let you drive her car without a license. Soak it all in. Because, you will miss him one day, more than you can ever imagine now. His sweet voice and his gentle spirit. There will never be another like him. And spoiler alert...as much as you hate the name Henry, now. You'll change your mind when you give your son Pa's name sake. Dax Henry is pretty cute, you have to admit! :)
Don't be so hard on mom and dad either. Sure I know they ground you an awful lot now, sometimes for no reason at all. Kidding, mom! Not really, hehe. It's just because they know you are in love and want to keep you with them as long as possible. Enjoy your time with them at home, it will pass very quickly. And don't worry about Dad...he'll come around. I know you have your arguments now about your choice of clothing and that new Justin Timberlake shirt he forbids you to wear. It gets better. He just didn't know how to handle you as a dramatic teenager. He does much better with you as an adult, and you happen to have a pretty awesome relationship. Your mom is still just as dramatic, but your biggest fan and bestest friend. Go to the movies with her more often. Because, trust me, movies don't happen much anymore with 3 little kids running around. And your brother is still a little shit. Just kidding. You like him a lot more now. Especially when you see him playing with your kids. You eventually forgave him for running you over with his four wheeler and sending you to the ER. Haha! That doesn't compare to the time he steps through the ceiling of your new house. Just wait til that moment! Can you believe he actually has a serious girlfriend now? Be taking notes of all the stuff he said to Cody to embarrass you. You need those about now.
My dear, nothing I can say can prepare you for the drama in Cosmetology School. As you know, girls can be mean. But, you survived that too. And it was pretty fun. You meet some awesome girls, that you still keep in touch with today. And some of which, have became your clients. Ahem, photography clients. Your hair has been every color, including pink. But, please don't be a model at that hair show again. You will regret that decision, I promise. They lie. They don't just "texturize." They give you a bowl hair cut, with black and white stripes. And regardless of what they tell you, you DO NOT pull off that look. You lived your dream and was a great cosmetologist for a year or so. But another of advice, practice eyebrow waxing a little bit more. And don't laugh when you jack up and eyebrow or two. But, my dear, I think that is a lost cause. 10 years later, and you still haven't grown out of that habit. And it will get you in trouble a few times and cause you much embarrassment. Oh well, laughter is good for the soul. During that year you traveled to the big Apple to a hair show. Shortly after, you began your journey of photography thanks to your awesome mom. That is the career you fell in love with.
Don't be so sad during your first couple years of marriage. I know it's hard not to be depressed, and you can't see past the word infertility. Try not to get upset at the people who tell you "to relax and you'll get pregnant." Or those that'll say, "Maybe you should just adopt." Just be a good christian and just smile. Or, just punch them in the face. And honey, trust me, it's coming. All you desire during this time is the family you've always dreamed of. And honey, It's coming in a big way! Enjoy those trips with your hubby to Walmart and Steak and Shake in the middle of the night. Take more naps, sister! You need to be saving your energy for motherhood! You will feel like a doctor after all the educating you have done via google on the topic of IVF. You will gain a new respect from your husband as he watched all your body has to go though to conceive your children. Once those babies finally arrive, you'll get it. Everything will make sense. It is then, that you will experience the best time in your life. You will not be able to imagine life before them or without them. Though, you have an awesome career, your biggest, greatest job is being their mommy. Momma will become your proudest title, and you will drop anything and everything for them. You may find it amusing now, but one of your biggest accomplishments in life was potty training twins the month they turned 2! I still like to brag about that one ;). I have to say, you're pretty good at growing babies! It is the sad truth that the world we live in is getting even further from God and colder everyday. But there is still good too, and I think people forget that. Always, love Jesus and love people. Even if it isn't the easiest thing to do at times.
SO...16 YEAR OLD ME...these years are fun. But they definitely aren't the best. Those days are ahead of you. But enjoy and seize them all, because they pass too quickly. Don't rush any phase that you are in, because it is shaping you into the woman you are still becoming. You will hold many titles in your life...but trust me...Momma is your favorite one. And being a wife is pretty fun too! Especially when you have a hot husband who gives you foot massages and watches reality shows with you ;) I love this life and thank God for letting me live it!
Thanks as always for reading and sharing!
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