A letter to Me (at 20)

Saw this on another blog, and wondered what I'd say to myself at 20 - it actually came pretty easily.

Dear Kristi,
This is Kristi, yourself in 17 years. I’d like to spare myself (yourself) so much agony so I am writing to give you just a few REALLY important pieces of information. Please, for once, don’t try to figure things out for yourself, listen to someone who knows better – and just think, it’s actually you!
1. Right about now you’re flirting with some real disaster – a married man. Don’t do it. He may tell you that it’s the first time he’s ever done something like this, but he’s lying – BIG TIME. And down the road you’ll wonder how you were ever attracted to such a nerdy guy and you’ll realize that all it had to do with was the M.D. behind his name. Just Don’t Do It – when he calls your mom’s house to check on you after you have surgery, tell him you’re fine and to never call again. PLEASE – you’ll save yourself, your mom and most importantly his wife from so much agony.
2. Your roommate: If you feel like something’s going on behind your back, it’s because it is. I honestly can’t remember how we got involved with her and her friend, but we did. Offer to let her other friend move in and bow out now – before you have your tonsils out because while you’re in the hospital recuperating from a surgery (that by the way is going to hurt really really bad and you’re almost going to die, so say some prayers and tell someone NOT to leave you alone not for one second); anyway, while you’re sick and in the hospital, your roommate’s friend and her boyfriend stay at the apartment, in your bed – that’s all I’m saying. Then after they run up a long distance phone bill and you refuse to pay it, they’re going to go to your dad’s office in the middle of an important meeting and demand he pay it. It’s so foolish, so spare yourself and just offer to move back home with your mom. Yes, your mom. In the end, you’ll be so happy that you spent the time with her and not some catty girls.
3. You’re getting ready to attend one of the most painful experiences of your life – your dad’s wedding. But be brave and go – pray for your mom while she’s out of town, but go. It’s not going to be fun, you’re not going to be happy, but pretend you are for your dad. This is REALLY important.
4. I could list all the boys/men who are going to distract you away from the One you should be seeking, but that would be embarrassing for lots of us, so I’ll just tell you this: You won’t find what you’re looking for in any of them. They cannot give you the self-assurance you’re looking for. They are incapable and will actually make you feel worse about yourself than you already do. None of them are worth of you. I’ll give you two hints about Mr. Right – You already know him but have never dated him; and two, you won’t date him til you’re 24 and marry at 25, so don’t mess with anyone else until someone from high school steps into your life again at a wedding. (Okay that was more hints but you really make some poor choices.) But the Prince you will get in the end is worth all of it, but I’d rather you not be building our testimony!!!
5. Okay, this one is BIG BIG BIG – when you move to Shreveport to help out a friend, there is a guy you absolutely need to stay away from. The biggest regret of your entire life lies in this fellow – stay away from him. Just don’t date anyone you meet in Shreveport and wait for Mr. Right because all the others are just WRONG and will lead you into the biggest heap of trouble you can’t even picture yourself in right now.
6. The two most important things I can tell you now are: 1. Go to church and make a relationship with Jesus your top priority. He will be there for you and never forsake you – He’s just waiting for you, actually He’s trying so hard to reach you. And 2. Spend a lot of time with your dad. Don’t dwell on who’s calling whom, or what you think he lacked in parental ability earlier in life. He’s going to be an incredible grandfather and a second-father to your husband. Have him over to dinner often when you’re married, let your husband go hunting with him every time he asks, surround him with your children and hug and kiss him every time you get the chance. Tell him what a wonderful daddy he is. Take him to a Daddy Daughter banquet at your church in February 2007, and make sure you don’t miss his birthday party that year – it will be the last time you see him. Hug him tight and tell him how much you love him and what a wonderful daddy he is and how much you appreciate everything he has done for you – don’t miss this chance. And on that horrible day in October when you have friends grieving over the death of their infant, don’t hesitate to let your husband go hunting with your dad yet again. This is very important.
Hindsight is always 20/20, so here’s a little foresight. I wish someone had sent me this letter 17 years ago……
Much Love,
Kristi