9 year old me with my favorite dog Indy (aka Indiana Jones)

Dear Ashley Jane;

There are some things I thought you should know in order to be confident in who you are which is one of the hardest things to do at this point in your life.

First, glasses are now cool. I realize the glasses you currently have now don’t quite feel hip. Also, the styles that are in now will eventually come back in style later in your life. However, you will probably be to old to wear them at this point. Sorry!

Heartache and disappointment are inevitable. Without these things, you cannot experience growth. The Stones were right when they said, “You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need.”

There will be some awkward moments during this time period and that’s okay. These moments will make great stories to share with your children when they are this age. Embrace this time in your life; your childhood is a magical time.

Spend as much time as you can with your grandparents. Write down their words, record their words, cherish thesewords! They will not be around as long as you would like.  Your sister is your best friend. She’s known you the longer than anyone (not including your parents) and loves you. She will be there for you in a way you can’t imagine at this point.

Don’t forget the greatest gift God gives us is love. Love even when the other person may not feel the same about you. The greatest gift you can give someone is love and time. Forgive others; holding a grudge only hurts you.

Don’t take yourself too seriously; not everything has to be perfect all the time. Life is messy. Remember, when life gets tough, turn on Motown and dance. Laugh often and at yourself. Be patient and slow down. It’s not about your timing; it’s about God’s.

The friends you have now may not always be your friends and that’s okay. The true friends will always be there even if you don’t see them everyday. When you do see or talk to your true friends, you will pick up where you left off. Your husband will make you a better person and is your best friend.

Most importantly, love yourself and then you will be able to do the rest!

Love,

32 year old ME