#DearMe

I've seen a lot of YouTube content creators make videos talking to their younger selves. I think they're really interesting, so I want to do one too (except a blog because I don't make videos)! To fill you in, I'm writing to my 8th grade, 13 1/2 (hey, half ages were still important back then) year-old self. I had just found out that my dad's job was moving us to Florida at the end of my school year (well, he moved a couple months before my ma and I did).

Dear Jenny,

First thing, you will go back to 'Jennifer' once you hit college and then 'Jen Harris' because you just have one of those names. Anyway, you just found out that you are moving to Florida this summer. As if starting high school wasn't scary enough, you have to start high school 1,200 miles away from everyone and everything you know and love. You've thought about running away, but know that will never work. Let me give you some hints about why Florida will be one of the best things to happen in your life:

• You will meet some of the best people in your entire life
• You still talk to quite a few at the age of 26
• Your best friend, Amanda, will invite you to church with her
• You will go and LOVE it
• You will join the worship team and commit your life to God
• You will travel with your choir to Epcot and perform at their Candlelight service
• TWICE
• You will have the opportunity to learn a wonderful foreign language that isn't offered at LPHS
• You won't actually LEARN anything (except 'Ich habe Hausaufgaben') until college
• You will have the best birthday (slash going away) party ever
• People really do care

Now I'm going to talk about some of the things that will upset you, but you will make it through:

• *9th grade bully* and his friends won't be teasing you after 9th grade
• You don't see them (except in passing) for the rest of your time at PCHS
• You actually don't get teased much at all after 9th grade
• One of your closest friends will turn out to not be who she says she is
• You will lose the friendship, but it's for the best
• There will be A LOT of drama with an online friend and real life friends
• Everything turns out just fine

You are anxious and nervous for nothing, honestly. You will be kicking and screaming just the same at the end of junior year when you have to move back to Michigan. Yes, you will move back to Michigan. You finish high school with (most of) the people who went to elementary and middle school with you and you will go to college! I won't write any more about college right now, though...maybe later.

Overall, Florida was amazing and not a day goes by that you don't think about it (when you're older). You actually can't wait to get your life together so you can move back and stay there forever.

Embrace it. You will definitely miss it when it's gone. Live it up and make intentional friends. Don't sweat the small stuff because it won't matter in 10 years (why do you think the negative part is shorter?).

You are worthy of so much, so don't settle for anything less.

-Jennifer

If you could write a letter to your younger self, which age would you choose and what would you say? I would love to read about it! :)

XOXO

Jen