a letter to my 16 year old self.

dear lacy,

if you don't talk to someone at school, don't talk to them on msn messenger. that right there will save you a lot of trouble. also, remember how people would print out their conversations sometimes? don't do that.

i know that t-shirts are shorter right now. maybe buy your shirts just one size bigger, so there isn't a sliver of your stomach showing in basically every high school photo of you. on the other hand, this is the flattest your stomach is ever going to be (so far at least) so maybe just flaunt it while you got it.

that boy you kiss in your yard? he's going to be a confusing person in your life for the next five years. (also, he's going to take you on a date the same summer you go on your first date with your husband)

i know your parents are driving you crazy right now. but you'll think they're cool someday.

some of the music you like right now is going to be embarrassing later on. but some of that stuff is quality. stop trying to listen to screamo music just because some people like it. you never will.

one day you'll realize that it really doesn't matter what other people think of you. and that people who are popular in high school go on to live regular old lives, and their coolness really doesn't matter anymore. but it's ok that you're not totally there yet. these things take time.

that thing you do where you use lame phrases ironically? you'll do that forever.

i know it bugs you that everyone has a boyfriend but you. but listen. you won't regret being single in high school. there's plenty of time to date crappy guys in college. (and trust me, you will)

these friends you have are still going to be your friends in 7 years. isn't that awesome?

try not to get too caught up in the highschool of it all. some of that stuff is important, but most of it isn't. pay attention in honors english, because that class is going to get you through college. it wouldn't kill you to turn off your computer and go outside more often. write in your journal, even though those entries are going to embarrass you later on.

mostly you should know that you're never really going to wish you were back in high school. but you will get nostalgic for the way your life is now. the ease of living when you don't really have to pay for it. the way going to the drive-in and driving the cruise route could fill up a whole evening in the greatest way. so don't rush through it too fast, ok? being a grown up will come soon enough.