Sunday, February 8, 2009

letter to 20 year old me

Dear Jennifer,
It's me. Your 31 (almost 32) year-old counterpart.
The wife.
The mom.
The teacher.

Yep, Teacher.
Don't waist your time switching majors. It won't be worth it. IN FACT, if you switch majors now, you will have to take a STUPID Intro to Theatre class that you will get a "C" in for nada.

While I'm dishing out the advice, here are some more helpful hints for you:

1. I know you've had your heart broken recently. I know it hurts. I know it hurts so bad you think you'll never get over it. But you will.

2. Know that You DON'T have impossibly high standards for a guy. One day you'll meet someone who meets every one of them. Seriously. Even the the little details that you didn't think you'd find in someone. It's pretty cool.

3. If a cop asks you out on a date, don't reschedule or try to get out of it. You'll like him.

4. Study. Study. Study.
Please study. I know it's hard to concentrate right now, but if you stop obsessing over boys, you'll be able to do it.

5. Graduate as soon as you can. You are going to LOVE teaching and wish that you had more time to do it. In fact, go ahead and start working on your Masters while your parents are still footing the bill. Student Loans stink.

6. In a few years, you won't remember the names of half of the people you went to college with partied with. It's crazy... Like they never existed. What you WILL need is a degree. Put down the beer and head over to the library. NOW.

7. Put down the tweezers too. Eyebrows are a good thing.

8. Save your money. As much as you can.

9. Pay cash upfront for your car so you can save your money for other things... things like pretty flowers for your wedding. If you don't, you'll have to go with a cheap-o florist and be really sad. Really sad.

10. Certain people will try to tell you that pink isn't an acceptable bridesmaid gown color. Don't listen. Have that pink wedding.

11. "The Rachel" won't always be a cute hairstyle and "Friends" will come to an end. You will go on with life. The world won't implode.

12. Spend all the time you can with your grandparents. Ask your grandmother to teach you how to make those cute little booties she knits.

13. You may think that you look cute in that little black skirt you have in your closet...and you do. But it's TOO SHORT. Don't wear it to church, Genius. In fact, don't wear it at all.

One more thing... It's a biggie.
You won't have a baby until you're 29. It sounds old, huh? It's NOT. The thing is, getting pregnant won't be easy for you. It will seem like everyone in the world is having a baby before you do. It will seem unfair. Especially when your younger sister has three babies before you have your first. It will be really hard and you'll cry a lot. Just remember that God's timing is perfect. He knows the desires of your heart. Keep trusting His goodness. It's worth the wait.

Remember that God's grace is bigger than any mistake you've made in your past. Let go of those feelings of guilt. They aren't from Him. It takes us a long time to learn that lesson. Years. Save us the tears and start letting those guilty feelings go now. You are loved.
You are treasured.
You are a child of God.
Nothing you can do will make Him love you more.
Nothing you can do will make Him love you less.

Keep it real, girl!
jennifer

*want to read more letters? go to Beth's blog: Not a Bow in Sight and join in the fun!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is just TOO cute! And it really made me wonder what my 30-year-old counterpart would say to the 20-year-old Katie . . . hmmmm. Where do you come up with these things :) ??? I always enjoy reading your posts!

Kodi said...

I love this! I'm 22, almost 23, but definitely already trying to learn some of these lessons. Thank you for sharing your heart.

misty said...

nice post!!! now if REALLY that letter was around when we were that age... then MAYBE would have acted different. ha ha

Amanda@Imperfectly Beautiful said...

How sweet! You got me little teary eyed there at the end. What a great idea. I think I might write my younger self a letter. Wow, I was so young and so stupid! It's nice to know that things get better...we get older and smarter!

Mommy of Tyler and Chase said...

I am glad I was around for a lot of that list and what a blessing where we both are today! Love, Colin

Amber Filkins said...

That is really such a great letter. If only we knew back then some of the things we know now, huh? That letter is such a great idea. I need to do that soon. I even feel a scrapbook page comin on!!

Anonymous said...

This was a great post. The last couple of paragraphs really hit home with me. Thank you for this.

Jackie said...

Oh, this was so sweet and so funny all at the same time! #7 - oh my yes, that was me too.

And the whole baby thing made me cry. God's timing IS perfect, and I am reminding myself of that daily....

Stacy said...

I literally cried reading this. Such beautiful words.

~Stacy

SarahHub said...

I cried too, especially at the baby part. I wish I had this advice when I was 20!

Tim said...

Wow Jennifer I dont even know what to say. That was one of the most touching posts I have read in a long time. It gave me chills at the end. I didnt have my first child until I was 35. I would have loved to have been younger like my wife who was 27 at the time, but that wasnt Gods will. I am just so blessed to have had the opportunity to have had children.

Im so glad I follow your blog!

Love and Prayers,

Tim

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a cute idea! I wish I would have gotten a letter from myself when I was about 19 - it would have saved me a lot of heartache and disappointment!!!

Thanks for letting me stop by!

Jen

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

This is fabulous. I've been writing a series of letters to myself too.

Kelli said...

I'm Kelli and I just found your blog from you participating in an organization post. I love your diaper bag! Cute blog and your kids are adorable.

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

"Nothing you can do will make Him love you more.
Nothing you can do will make Him love you less."

LOVE that, it's so true and yet almost impossible for me to wrap my mind around sometimes.

Great letter! :)

Denise said...

VERY GOOD! Now to get my teenagers to read it and follow through on the advice .. . . .

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