Dear Hannah, First of all, put down the eyeliner. Good. Now, I am writing you this because future you still cringes when she sees your freshman yearbook picture. Not only because of the fact that you thought you were Snooki (never again) but because I think back now to how simple I had it and how naive I really was. Yes. You know not of what you are doing young grasshopper. So, here is a list of tips and such to help you through the next 5 years of your life.
1.Just say no to spray tans. It never turns out good. Orange is not natural, and yes, everyone can tell.
2.Stop caring so much about what people think.The people you are friends with right now, you will not even be talking to 5 years from now. Wear the weird toe socks. Raise your hand in class. Skip the 2 hour morning routine. Stand up for what you know is right, even when its not popular. I promise you, you’ll wish you had.
3.Mom is not the enemy. Throw away all thoughts about what a “monster” she is. She is not trying to ruin your life. She comes to bat for you more than you realize. She loves you more than you will ever know.
4.Give a lot of grace because you will need a lot of grace.
5.Your siblings are your forever friends. Jordyn, Josh, and Journey are the 3 most called people in your contact lists. They all 3 play an important role in the woman you become. Stop treating them like they are losers, they are the COOLEST human beings you will ever meet and you are blessed.
6.Modest IS hottest. This will be a constant battle between you and Dad. Many “cute” outfits will lose the epic battle between father and style. You can look cute and not be flaunting your goodies to half of Richmond. You may not think so now, but that is NOT the kind of attention you want. You are someones future wife. Respect the man you will one day call husband, with how you dress now.
7.Hold your tongue. That thing gets you into WAY too much trouble. Tame it before its too late.
8.One day little Hannah, you will get a job at a magical place called Panera, and they will tell you that you can take home bakery items at the end of the night, and you’ll be all like “Holy cow! thats the coolest thing ever! Let me take advantage of this opportunity!” DO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY!!!! You are still to this day working off those pumpkin muffies. Just. Say. No.
9.Nicaragua IS a good idea, and you will love it and it will save you in so many ways.
10.When you do move to Nicaragua, kiss every baby, hug every child, hold every hand, and never stop saying I love you to those sweet children.
11.One day a cute guy with amazing dimples will sweep you off your feet and you will think it is true love. Its not. Its trouble with a six pack my friend. Dont walk away… RUN.
12.Dad may very well be the Italian Ghandi. That man puts up with so much crap from all ends and does it with a smile. Listen to EVERYTHING he says. Sit at the kitchen table with him while he works. Dont make him take you somewhere special every time you want one-on-one time. Just be content with the time you have, because one day you’ll be out on your own and phone calls once a week will be a cherished blessing.
13.Be thankful. Stop complaining about what you dont have and start thanking God and your parents for what you do have. You are blessed beyond measure, and it shouldnt take having it all taken away for you to finally realize that.
14.Sadly, you are done growing. There is no growth spirt coming your way. Just accept the fact that you will never reach the top shelf ever.
15.Kelsey is still your best friend and yes, you still do the weird stuff your doing now when you get into your 20’s. Its a beautiful thing.
16.Missions is your calling.Start fundraising now kid.
17. And the most important thing I can tell you: Say yes to God. Oh the trouble and heart ache you will save yourself if you just seek Him earnestly. Life will get SO crazy, and He is the only constant. Dont run from Him when things get hard. Dont push Him way. Just say yes. When things get messy, push deeper into the word. When things go great, give thanks. You will spend years searching for who you are, but will only truly find yourself when you find your identity in Christ.Here are some truths I know now that I wish I had known at 15: You are His beloved daughter. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, worth far more than rubies and precious stones. There is freedom in forgiveness and redemption in the cross. There is a never ending amount of grace through Christ. No sin is too big. You ARE worthy. You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.
