Hindsight

If I could write a letter to my 18 year old self I would highlight:

- don't take your car out the night mom told you not to and you complained to dad and he let you. It will cost you three weeks in the shop and a running joke about mailboxes for the next decade.

- trust mom and dad when they tell you you're going to hate the cold, depressing weather of frostburg. It will save you a 2am phone call and two college switches. And even though they didn't say it right away, you will hear the words I told you so.

-always be true to your high school sweetheart. One day you're going to marry him and have his little girl. Those "games" you two played as teenagers will be for naught. He is the one. Always was. Always will be.

- have more patience with your boyfriends mom, your future mother in law. One day you will wish you could see her eyes roll at you.

- don't gossip and don't hold a grudge. Forgive and forget and move on. Life is easier this way.

-say you're sorry when you've wronged someone. And you will. Learn from those moments and don't repeat the same mistakes.

- find your faith earlier. You will rely heavily on it. Trust in God. You may never know why. It doesn't matter. There is a bigger plan you are apart of.

-stay out of the tanning bed. Stay. Out.

- put your best foot forward in every situation. This way you won't look back and say I wish I would have done it differently.

- don't let the orthodontist talk you in to taking your braces off early. You will spend almost three grand 6 years later.

-have the awkward conversation you hate so much. Silence is worse in the long run. Trust me.

-family is family. Always, always put them first.

-soak up the moments you love so much. They will be gone before you know it and make great memories. Live life in the moment not behind a phone screen.

-you are only going to regret what you do not do or say.

-you are going to stumble and fall. You are going to make mistakes. Get back up and hold your head high. Don't let those moments define you. One day your going to grow up. Life is still going to be hard but you have an amazing husband, supportive family and great friends. Enjoy the ride.