Dear 20 Year Old Self....

I first heard about this on NPR & then checked out Cassie's blog to read some of the other letters. I so love this idea but really had to think about what I would say for a couple of weeks. So here it goes....

Girlfriend....you are in for an amazing time! I don't want to give too much away because I don't think you'd believe have of it and I don't want to influence the choices that you/me are going to make because they will help mold you into the woman you/me are going to be. I do want to tell you not to be so damn scared - live more in the moment. Trust me - you need to loosen up and enjoy your life. Enjoy the mountains and Montana because you are right, you won't be living there forever but when you leave your soul is going to miss those mountains. Don't worry about love - hard to do I know but it will happen - sort of. But you are looking for it in all the wrong places - I will tell you that much now. And what you think is love - well not so much. So stop worrying about that and enjoy the time you have with your friends. You are a smart woman - I think you know that at 20 but you aren't always confident about it. And I must say you do need some confidence. Enjoy your family - especially the aunts & uncles because they won't be around forever. The choices you make for the most part will work out good and none of the bad choices are fatal. You'll always be where you are meant to be - you'll understand that one later. Keep running - it is a better release than a beer & it will be important later on that you are a runner. You haven't met some of the people who will influence your life the most, including a group of very amazing women friends. You will never be alone so stop worrying about that. People will come in and out of your life - that will be tough for you to deal with but that is how life works. And...spoiler alert... it's not you - your first mother-in-law is crazy. You'll find what you think is love & that's Ok - but don't give away YOU for love. Someday you'll find someone who will love you for you - don't lose sight of that. The most important thing I can tell you is it all works out - you are becoming the woman you are meant to be but it is an ongoing deal . However it is a great ride. So be happy now, enjoy each moment and breath deep. I can't wait for you to meet me!