Dear 16 year old self,

Slow down. Life moves so quickly. Don't constantly spend your time wishing for what's to come, for college, for your first boyfriend, for your first kiss, for independence. Enjoy what you have now. Love God, family, friends with reckless abandon. Don't worry about what everyone thinks--be you. Stop seeing the bad in everyone else, which you have your own share of, but see everyone as someone just as much in need of grace as you,  someone who Christ died for just as much as He died for you. Go get extra help in pre-cal; you might just not miss all the problems on a test. Trust your parents; they've been there, they love you and only want what's best for you. Don't get caught up in the drama...a few years down the road it won't matter. You won't be able to get the negative words or thoughts directed towards each other or the time you have with these people back. Have girls' nights and have them often. Boys can wait. Have fun; don't be so uptight. You have the rest of your life to worry. Stick that stunt! Trust your bases and spot. Don't think you're too cool for anything, for the homecoming dance, to be silly. Laugh, and laugh a lot. Make memories. Be genuine and vulnerable. Love.