Dear Me

Dear Me:
A Letter to my Sixteen-Year-Old Self
by Joseph Galliano

I read this book and thought, "What a great idea! I want to write a letter to my sixteen-year-old self, too."

So here it is.


Dear Em,

You're gonna be okay.

Remember last year when you moved to Texas? Remember how hard it was to do things all by yourself? Remember how Erin went with you to that first youth group just so you wouldn't have to go alone? She was going off to college in a completely different state and certainly didn't have to go with you! Continue to be grateful for her even when you feel far apart.

Even though going to that first youth group and starting a brand new school was scary and hard, you made it, right? And you will make it through many more scary and hard things.

I know you're overweight. I know you don't feel like you fit in. Just be yourself. Don't conform to others and do what they're doing. Be your own person and appreciate who God made you to be. Don't worry so much about being "weird." Weird is actually pretty cool. :)

Some of your friends will stay with you forever (Isabel will forever call you Emily-girl), keep those friends close. Some of them will seem like the biggest part of your life, but will only be with you a short season. Don't fret over those friendships. They were with you when you both needed it most.

You will get married (I won't tell you who he is, but you've already met him!! Crazy, right?). You will have a beautiful family. That's not as easy as you thought it would be either - being a mother. It's amazing and wonderful and the best job in the world, but nothing about it is easy.

You will learn more about love through your husband and children than you ever thought possible. And love doesn't always look the way you think it does. Sometimes it's glamorous and happily-ever-after. Most of the time it's not. But it's still amazing.

You'll learn the value of being alone. It doesn't feel too great right now, but one day you'll look back and wonder what that really felt like. And then you'll be thankful that God allowed you to go through so many periods of feeling alone. Only to bring you people-gifts just when you needed them most.

Mom is still one of your best friends. Treat her right. Love on her and give her props. She totally deserves it. She will be there for you more times than you can count. Appreciate her. Tell her that you appreciate her.

You've got a lot of people in your corner, kid. The world can be a rough place, but you, my friend, you have been blessed beyond measure. Thank God for that. Give back. Be kind and friendly. Love people no matter what. Love wins. Don't forget that. Love always wins.

Forever and always,
Em