writing prompt

"write a letter to your 16 year old self"

Dear 16 Year Old Mia,

First off, you're awesome. 

Second, here your babyface trying to hide your braces:

Next is, do what you want to do. My favorite song right now is called Who You Are by Jessie J, (she's not popular for you yet but just wait, she's pretty great). But I want you to take the advice from this song:

"sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.

tears don't mean you're losing everybody's bruising.

just be true to who you are" 

Don't be afraid. Go try out for the volleyball team. Then the basketball team. Then, I want you to try out for student body office. 

Then I want you to know that the football players are not all they're made out to be. You'll date one or two then, believe it or not, you'll be one of those missionary girlfriends. Guess what? He wasn't the quarterback, but he's amazing. And he's someone you know right now. And he's amazing.

Don't worry about having a lot of friends, you don't need them all. A few close ones are all you need. And after you graduate, those are the ones who will be your friends forever.

Don't fight with your sister. It's silly. None of it matters and one day, she'll be your best friend.

Don't cut your hair, it was cute and all but I'm trying to grow my hair out and if I hadn't chopped it, my hair would be THAT much longer.

Those AP classes you take sr year? Turns out, you actually need to study for those. So please do. Maybe you could get a scholarship instead of having to pay off a student loan. 

You have amazing parents and they will literally become your best friends.

Enjoy the time you have in high school. Because once you graduate, you will never see half of those people again and you will have to be a grown up and get a real job and pay taxes and miss people who leave. Be active and meet  new people. 

Also, enjoy the astro van while it lasts.... *tear* 

You WILL get out of Utah, I PROMISE so stop whining about it. You'll actually end up missing it once you're out. So savor every snowflake and every sunburn. Especially the ones you get in the same day.

Have fun. Spend time with your family. Pray always. Share your testimony. 

and lastly, here you are 4 years later:

Love, 20 Year Old Mia