A letter to my 16-year-old self

Dear Teenage Rachel,

• You think you are so terribly huge, you are not. Body image isn't something you need to worry about right now. You are beautiful and more people believe that then you know. Have fun wearing what you want, and having more confidence in who you are.
• Quit hanging out with those looser friends, you know the ones I am talking about. They only get you into more trouble then you need. No matter how much you try to rebel, be yourself. And we both know you are not really being yourself around those people.
• Date all the boys. Quit waiting around for Dave. Trust me, the guy isn't worth waiting for. Have a good time in getting to know guys and stop turning them down for dumb reasons. Can you help it if they all want to get to know you better? That is part of the fun in being young, live it up in this moment.
• Listen to your Mom (and don't roll your eyes at that statement either). She is smarter then you know, and would do anything for you. Spend more time with her, soak up the times where you make each other laugh and remember what she says. You take her for granted. If you don't change that now, you will regret it later on in your life. Moments with her won't last very much longer.
• You're coasting through school because you're lazy. Put effort into your grades. You normally get A's and B's without trying, imagine what you could do if you put your mind to it! Homework isn't so bad either, give yourself some time to soak up the information and don't get frustrated, you can do this.
• Oh yeah and one last thing, life seems hard now, but you will make it. You are a survivor! One day you'll find a cute boy who loves you for exactly who you are. Life has a crazy way of throwing major road blocks in your path, but keep your head up. Even when you feel like life isn't worth it... it is! You just have keep going no matter how hard.

Dear Adult Rachel,

Will you take me to Europe some time? We deserve it!

Love always,

22-year-old Rachel.