To My Dear, Sweet Friend

You just started a new chapter of your life and you're adding new adventures to it every day. A new house, new state, new family. Things might seem scary and uncertain at times, but everything is a lesson and everything will turn out the way it should. You'll be fine. I know you will because you are strong, through and through.

Look at everything you're about to experience as some new, uncharted territory to your life that you're discovering. It's up to you which fork in the road you take, how bumpy the road is or how smooth. You have a good head on your shoulders, always have. Remember that.

You have people that love you and are here for you if you need them. Remember that nothing is ever set in stone. On the rough days when you wonder what's next, know that they will pass and move into good days when you will look forward to what's ahead. Likewise, the good days will pass too, but that's only so that you can appreciate them that much more. You would never know happiness without sadness. You would never know light without dark. Learn from all of it and enjoy the lessons.

On the days when you don't know top from bottom remember that everyone's been upside down at one time or another, and that only happens so that we can see things from a new point of view.

In the moments when you doubt yourself  - stop. The head can be confusing but the heart always knows what to do. You will always make the right choice in the end. For you, for your family, for everything. As long as you pay attention to what you know deep down inside you can never go wrong. It's impossible to stray from the path you're meant to be on as long as you believe in yourself and you trust in that belief.

Never let anyone label you as this or that, or anything at all for that matter. You decide who you are and what you are capable of, period. No one can be you but you, so don't let them decide who you should be. They don't have to live your life, you do. Be whatever you want. Be better than what you want. Be more than you even think you can be, because you can. You have it in you to be great. You already are.

Most importantly remember that, although you are miles away, you are right here in all of our hearts. That's the only distance that ever really counts anyway. 

Be strong.

Be brave.

And call me. I mean it.

Love you,

XOXO