Letter to 17 year old me

Dear 17 year old Kristina,

There are so many things I want to share with you but first more then anything you should know you are loved. Things aren't so great and I know but they will get better. It will take a VERY long time but things will turn out just the way you hoped for so don't change or compromise who you are. But remember it will take a long time so while you wait please let this letter help you through your teen angst and the drama of being a young adult. Now I know you are rolling your eyes thinking you know everything but just take a moment

The most important thing I have to share with you is to love your body.
No a size 10 is not fat!
You will get heavier and than lighter.
Your weight will always fluctuate but in no way are you fat.
You have a beautiful, curvy figure. By the time you are 30 you will be wishing for that size 10 and how very perky you are. Love that body you have.
Do not hate it because if you hate yourself no one will respect you.
People will notice you hate your body and use it against you to take advantage!
People will fall in love with your heart and passion.
When you grow up the man you always wished for will fall in love with who you are inside.
He will love you for your passion and your good heart.
While we are on the subject of him, get used to falling asleep early, no more 3am bedtimes with him, get used to fruit in your stuffing, yuck, learn accept the Star Trek thing; yes even the Christmas ornaments

Do NOT ever mistake sex for love.
I know that it is hard to seperate the 2 when you are so young but believe me in 3 short years you will need to know this.
Because you dislike your body you will make this mistake.
Trust me sex does not equal love in all cases.
You will feel MUCH worse the next day.
Respect yourself and others will too.
Stop looking for love in all the wrong places.
It will happen with no strings attached and no pressure to be physical.
You will fall in love. Your heart will break and you will break some hearts too. It hurts but it gets better as the time goes on.

That boy you have a crush on...TELL HIM
Don't hide it and pretent to just be friends.
Let him know how he makes you smile and write in your journal about him.
Show him you love him because he will suddenly be taken from us all way to soon.
You will always regret not telling him.

In a few years you will meet a man
He is not "The One"
He will mistreat you.
He will hit you, belittle you, keep you away from others and seriously hurt you.
Leave him the first time you get that feeling.
You will know the feeling when it happens.
You can't change him so don't try.
He is a mean cruel person on the inside and he will never change.
I know its scary but so many people will be there for you!

The guy who comes into your life as your leaving the above will not be the one either.
He may look like a night in shining armour but he is not.
Good person but not a good boyfriend. He will walk out on you when you need him most.

Follow your career dreams because you will be thankful for your career choice EVERY day!
Your job will be more then a career it will be a passion.

I know I'm giving you tons of information and your head is probably spinning. I promise you that you will need this stuff. Things don't have to always be so serious so on a lighter note:
-That Billabong hoodie and Delia's boots are NOT SEXY! Throw them away sooner not later!
-Your HS bff will be there for everything.
- Stop smoking before you can't run with out weezing and before they are $8 a pack.
- Stop saying the F word in front of people. Its not cool. People think its trashy.
- Don't ever pretend to be drunk. Everyone always knows!

- Call out of work here and there to enjoy high school.
- Go to your high school reunion! You will regret that too.
- NEVER drink beer then Long Islands, EVER! You will sleep on bathroom floor and massive hang over.

In closing all I can say is be HAPPY. We have made mistakes and we will make more but everything works in some crazy way. Continue to care and love like you do. Don't let the world harden your feelings. Love who you are and all who love you.

Love,
Kristina at 31

Today I linked up with The Lioness in writting letters to ourselves. Her letter is beautiful. Be sure to go check hers out and link up too.