Dear 2007 Renee

Hey girl! First, let me say, you look beautiful! No one is going to measure the size of your thighs when you're sitting down, so get over that. Second of all, TELL CADE YOU HAVE THAT CRUSH ON HIM! Trust me, the response will be exactly what you dreamt it would be, not what you feared it would be. 

This past summer was tough, between the letting go and thinking you've found something new. Now you're a couple months into your senior year of high school and for some odd reason, it doesn't feel as overwhelming or intimidating as you thought it would. You're going to do great this year, even with the "lows" that'll come, you'll learn that it's all apart of the growth process. 

Yes, let me reassure you did get married when you were 25 (why did we always think that was an ideal age?) and you eat more than just mac and cheese and dill pickle chips. You won't believe this, but you even grew a fondness for jalapenos, and peppers in general! I know, I know... It's crazy. Not too crazy though, you still hate mustard and get nauseous just thinking about onions and mushrooms. 

The good news: 

• First and foremost; you are crazy blessed. Your great grandma beat her breast cancer at 86 and is still alive and sassy as can be. Actually, all of your loved ones are still with you. Enjoy. Every. Moment. Make sure you always tell them how much you love them.
• YOU HAVE A NIECE!! And she has your whole heart. 
• You still have some of the same friends you did in high school. Some of them made their lives in a different way than you and you might not talk much anymore, but you're happy for them nonetheless.
• You're going to be living in your very own apartment within the next year and you're going to meet SO many new friends who will become your very best friends (think: Chipotle)
• That then leads me to this: You're actually going to like Chipotle's food
• You're going to continue being incredibly kind to strangers who become friends. This will lead you to some really great opportunities, both in your career and personal life.
• You have a legitimate green thumb. It's impressive and you're going to have some stellar house plants in the next 10 years. 
• Craziest one of them all... After you graduate, reading is going to be fun again! HA! I know!?! (In my best Monica voice)
• Lastly, in the next ten years, you will travel all over. San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Arizona... Take every opportunity that you can, and travel everywhere.

The ugly:

• Don't date that jerk. Trust me. You will break up shortly into the relationship and you should just let it be... No need to continue down that path.
• You're going to let your anxiety get the best of you in certain situations. Don't be afraid to go talk to someone. Especially your mom. She will impress you with her understanding.
• There are going to be times where you feel like you have zero control over your life (planning, finances, health, etc.) and you'll want to ask for help, but you won't, but you want to, but you can't... Just ask. 
• You can't heal the pain that some of the people closest to you are going through... Just be there, and listen to them.
• The world is scary, and getting scarier every day... Don't lose that hope that there is more good than ugly. There is. It's in the chaos.

Overall, it's been a great 10 years. I can't see what's coming up next, but I have a feeling that it's going to be just as good :)