Dear 20-year-old Self

Recently, I turned 30. And then I had an old family friend stay with me for the weekend. Nancy has known me since I was in the womb. She's married to my dad's childhood best friend, and has known my dad since he was a wee one. She even once had a school-yard crush on my dad. Cute :) So, I'm not sure if it was the memories Nancy and I relived, or the fact that I'm now entering a new decade of my life, where exciting, life-altering things will happen (you know...marriage, babies, etc). But something has prompted me to write this letter to my 20-year-old self.

Dear 20-year-old Me:
Boy were you wound tight! I wish someone would have told you that it's ok to let your hair down and go with the flow, but if you knew then what I know now, then I guess this journey wouldn't have been quite so...meaningful. Plus, you probably would have told that person to mind their own business! But, here's what I wish I could tell you:

• Trust your instincts. It's ok to break up with that boy now, just like you want to. You will not end up marrying him, life will go on, and you should instead spend the next two carefree years living it up with your best girlfriends.
• Be the best friend you can. These women in your life will be with you when you're 30, and probably 40, 50...100, so cherish the friendships and don't disappear like you do for those few years when you first get to Florida.
• Be the best daughter you can be. Your mom will have some rough years health-wise, so being patient, kind and loving will get you a lot farther. And then you wont carry any regrets.
• Stay out of that hot Florida sun, and stop tanning! It is NOT good for your skin, no matter how good it makes you feel.
• WEAR YOUR RETAINER :)
• Rid yourself of the ugly "green with envy" emotion. Your life is good. It is yours. It is beautiful. You are a much better person without it, and life is NOT a competition.
• Remain positive no matter what is thrown your way. It will carry you through the hard times.
• Thank you...Thank you for finishing college. Thank you for taking that job, even though it's 1000 miles from home. Thank you for dating gentlemen who know how to treat women. Thank you for not marrying so young. Thank you for not falling into the dark blackhole of addiction. Thank you for making the 30-year-old you proud.
• And never forget...old friends, new friends. Good times, bad times. Atlanta, Daytona. Saline, Manchester, Portugal, Kalamazoo, Florida, Memphis, Royal Oak. Guys that come, guys that go. The one that will remain. It all makes you who you are. Just live your life, love your life, and don't forget to laugh.