Letter To My Younger Self

Dear Kim of 18 years old.

Everything is okay.  But, let me tell you, you are NEVER going to believe all the things that have happened between you then and you now.

No, you do not have a law degree.  No, you are no where near getting married (somehow I think you are okay with this, I know I am).  Hell, you have not even finished your undergrad, but don't stress about that, the economy crashes and jobs are shit right now anyway.

You will fall down, a lot.  But you just get better and better at gracefully getting back up, dusting off your knees and letting your wounds heal.

Yes, you will drop out of CU, go to art school for a spell, get a wild hair and move to Seattle, have the adventure of a lifetime, have your heart broken and move back.

Yes, you will miss out on partying in your early 20's, you will do things backwards, sideways, wrong ways, short ways and long ways, but you always do them your way and that is awesome.  Keep up with that.  And in terms of missing out on the party scene, don't worry, you make up for it when you move back home.

Austin eventually gets over you, you are now friends with Kylie, Katrina is having a baby, Abby had one while you were in Seattle and Natalie had one almost right after you moved back.  Most of your close friends end up knocked up.  Stay on birth control.  You remember the guy from Caliche who is kinda cute and pretty good at basketball?  Yeah, Kurtis Saenz.  You will randomly chance encounter him at a Rockies game, you end of sleeping with him and he ends up developing a strange crush on you.  You kind of think he's off his rocker.

Grandma Berta is not doing well.  You should spend more time with her while she knows who you are.  Appreciate everything she taught you, when you are a damn good cook who knows how to can shit and sew you will be so thankful she was such a pioneer woman.

You love to garden.  It soothes your soul.  You also love sushi but are hesitant about fish in Colorado.  Your mom is incredible and strong and loves who you've become.  Your brother is a shit show.  You are okay.  You will get through everything and emerge on the other side right here, happy.  Your life is a bit strange most times and this is great.  Love yourself, you deserve it.

Always Love,

25 year old you.