9.12.11 31

Dear 18 year old Neely…

Dear 18 year old Neely,
You are currently a senior in high school. Nine years from now you will realize high school is not the greatest time in your life. You will realize those girls that were mean to you, were probably jealous for some unknown reason, that or they were just sad miserable people. You will realize popularity can’t be measured once you leave those halls and its not something that can be put on a resume, or that will impress a guy. You will realize that guy you thought was your one true love and who you believed you would marry is a piece of sh*t dirt bag who thinks sleeping with lots of girls who aren’t you is a good thing to do.You will then realize that letting go of him is hard but once you do you will be so much happier. You will realize that true, real love comes later when you least expect it and has its ups and downs. You will realize what other people think does not matter. You will realize your parents were right a lot more than you gave them credit for and they were being serious when they told you skipping class half of your senior year was not a good idea. You will realize that you can meet the best friends you will ever have in the most random of places and situations. You will realize that aol instant messenger will not always be around so cherish those days as “DAWSCRK14.” You will realize that that 2001 Toyota Solara was the greatest little car ever and those nights spent driving around with your best friends, eating McFlurries will become fewer and far between. You will realize that there are few things in life as simple as sitting on swings at a park talking about life. You will realize that college is meant to be fun. You will realize that your mom is your best friend and don’t ever think she isn’t on your side. You will realize the world is a very scary place…politics are dirty, the economy will tank, gas will no longer be .93 a gallon, credit cards have limits, allowances end, and being a grownup is fun, scary, and amazing. So 18 year old Neely….don’t be so hard on yourself.
Love,

27.5 year old Neely

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31 Comments

  1. Holly wrote:

    I LOVE THIS! Especially the part about the guy you thought was awesome is a jerk–definitely happened to me, and the cheating stuff. This is just really cute 🙂

    Published 9.12.11
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  2. I love this post! I mean really love it! So true there are so many things I wish I could change but then I guess I would not be the person I am now (wait that might be a good thing lol)

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  3. In some ways, I wish I could do this for myself. In others, I know I wouldn’t be where I am today!

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  4. Jennifer wrote:

    Very cute! Love it.

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  5. Jenn wrote:

    I love this post! Soooo true!!! Awesome idea 🙂

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  6. I can relate to this whole post! every.single.point. Thanks for sharing!

    In some ways I wish I could go back and rearrange but like the others said I might not be who I am or where I am now if that was the case!

    Published 9.12.11
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  7. Kate wrote:

    GREAT post!! I agree with so much of this, especially the part about nights with best friends ending too soon. The simple things in life… 🙂

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  8. Meg O. wrote:

    This sounds a lot like me. I love it. Great post!!!

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  9. Heather wrote:

    If we could only write ourselves a letter from the future…we probably wouldn’t go through so much heartache. Love this post Neely!

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  10. Leslie wrote:

    I love this post Neely! Don’t you wish you could rewind time and tell yourself these things… might change a lot of our dumb decisions. But we learn from them! Love the part about the gas prices 😉

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  11. Shalyn wrote:

    Love it. Amen sista! Amen! 🙂

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  12. Ashleigh wrote:

    This is awesome, Neely! There are so many things I would tell myself! You are right ab popularity! And how ur mom really is on ur side. If I give u credit, do u mind if I do this some time?

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  13. Cait wrote:

    so cute girl 🙂

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  14. Erin wrote:

    I could’ve written this exact letter to my 18 year-old self. It’s crazy how things are so much more in perspective now. I certainly wouldn’t have worried so much over all those little details and tried to enjoy it a little more. Lovely letter Neely! Hope student teaching is still going well!!!

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  15. [SMASH] wrote:

    This is a fantastic post! Life was so different back then.

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  16. Michelle wrote:

    Awww….I love this. I would write to my 21 year old self instead of my 18 year old self…it seems like I was going through all my issues at that age for some reason!

    I love this post, Neely!!!

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  17. Meggie wrote:

    Amen, sister!

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  18. Caitlin wrote:

    I LOVE this. Especially because it is true for EVERY girl and not just you. 🙂

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  19. Shari wrote:

    Great post! Important to remember these things. If only we knew then what we do now. 🙂

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  20. Michelle wrote:

    I love this post! It is so true! You definitely learn a lot growing up and things sure have changed!

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  21. Brooke wrote:

    This is awesome and so true! This made me tear up a little.. ha! I’m a bit emotional today. This is my second time on your blog and I think it is GREAT! I love your honesty! Feel like we may be in a similar situation with your relationship stuff you are going through! Anyway, thanks for the encouragement! : )

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  22. Maura wrote:

    i love this neely! great post!!

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  23. Jessica wrote:

    I might have to copy you on this post! LOVE IT.

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  24. Kiley wrote:

    awww. 🙂

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  25. Katie wrote:

    So, so true! Love this.

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  26. EMily wrote:

    I LOVE this post!

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  27. Shelley wrote:

    I smiled at the part about driving around eating McFlurries. That’s something I would do too :). It’s amazing the things we learn after high school!

    Published 9.13.11
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  28. i ADORE this post. everything was so well worded and just perfect. i must do one now!! oh and it totally reminds me of brad paisleys song “letter to me”. don’t you just love the simple moments like swinging at the park and being deep in conversation. these were my favorite nights.

    xoxo

    Published 9.13.11
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  29. Amber wrote:

    This is pretty much the best post, EVAH!

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  30. Wiz wrote:

    I love this! I probably still wouldn’t listen to my advice though. I definitely thought I knew EVERYTHING!

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  31. Sara L. wrote:

    I love this post! It’s great! Such good advice, and although I know it would have freaked me out some at first I wish I would have gotten a letter from me now in high school. I could have cherished a few things a little more and cared about a few things/a boy a little less.
    🙂

    Published 9.15.11
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