A Letter to my High School Self

Dear 15, 16, 17 year old Brittanny,

I want you to know that you will make it through the next 7 years.

Even though break-ups will feel like the end of the world, they're not. You'll get through it. You will become stronger for it - though maybe not right away. You think that each boy you date is going to be your forever... In reality, you haven't even met him yet. It's ok to date boys multiple times. But give yourself room to grow without boys for a little while. Become your own person. But remember to stay friends with those who broke your heart or whose hearts you broke. They become some of your most valued friends.

Even though moving at age 15 seems like the worst possible thing at the moment, it is the right thing. So many beautiful things come out of your two years at Mountain View. Even though the first day of school seemed like the worst day of your life, it gets better. Keep your head up and you'll have friends in no time.

I'm proud of the way you will handle yourself in the face of vicious high school drama. Keep going strong, don't let it bother you, do what you want to do and what you believe is right. The friends who matter will stick by you.

Your friends become your family, but that doesn't mean you should abandon your real family. Spend more time with Mom and Charity. They love you. Chari looks up to you. Open up more to Mom.

You learn to love with all your heart. You love deeply and fast. While this seems like a bad thing once your heart is broken, it truly is a good thing. Believe in love.

Go to as many high school activities as you can. You will look back on those days with fondness and will be so happy that you were as involved as you were. Try out for musicals, teams, councils. You may not make it into all of them, but you will learn a lot from the try-out process. And you'll make the ones that you were meant to.

It is ok to cry, I promise. And don't forget to rely on the Savior.

Your high school years really will be some of the most fun and memorable years of your life. You will cry, you will laugh, you will grow and come out of it all stronger.

College will be a test of emotions. Love, anger, loneliness, depression, sadness, happiness, confusion will all be there. You will be ok and get through it, even on the days you think you don't have a friend in the world. Listen to your Freshman roommates, they're smart. You will enjoy yourself your Sophomore year. You go a little crazy, but it all works out.

Love,
your almost 22 year old self
(who may not be all that much more grown up than you)

"We all have a story of adolescence in all it's glory."

"Happily Ever After" - He is We