*It’s me. You know, YOU. I am writing from the future. (Insert twilight zone music here) And since I have the perspective of a few years- there are some things I’d love to share with you, my dear.*

Dearest Emily,
A lot will happen this year. Things that change your life. Your little brother will enter the world. You will be so proud. You will take him to ‘show & tell’ at school and let all the kids bask in the awesome that is your kid brother. You may sometimes be jealous & sometimes wish you were back in the first seven years of your life when you were an only child & your parents were together. But, it all works out. You & Andrew will be very close growing up. You will be the constant in each other’s lives as you move from home to home. Appreciate him every day because too soon you will be adults and live separate lives. Also? Go ahead & join a sports team. Your 27 year old slothlike self will appreciate you starting good life habits NOW.
-Yourself, 20 years in the future.

Hey Em,
Be nice to your stepparents. While sometimes it is so easy to fall back taking out your frustrations with divorce on them- it wasn’t really about them. You’ll find out later what amazing people they are. You’ll see someday soon that your life wasn’t complete without them. While divorce is horrible & makes things that much harder- YOU will come out happier and more well adjusted from the experience.
That guy? The one that seems a bitttt dangerous & probably just a bitttt too old? Yeah. Him. I just want to tell you you are right. He is the one. While it may be hard to explain to your friends as you slowly transition to spending all. your. time. with him, & to the parents who think he is just like every teen boy: Continue to fight for it because it will be worth it. He will be everything you imagined and more.
But you know what you shouldn’t do?? Put college aside. You should go. You should do something amazing with your life. Because there is SO much you are capable of and I promise this will be one of your great regrets. Looking back, I know he would wait for you. So go for it. It will give you more options in the future.
Being a teenager is hard. You are lucky that you come from such a strong foundation. My only advice? Don’t WORRY so much. You’ll never be as fearless as you are right now. And you, my dear? You hold back A LOT from fear. Be yourself. Be brave. Be adventurous. Soon? Seriously- in a blink of an eye- you will look back & wish you’d taken many more chances in life.
-Yourself, 13 years in the future.

EMILY!
HAVE A FREAKING WEDDING. Scott says he doesn’t want one. Don’t listen. A few years from now when your friends start getting married in droves, the two of you will sit in the audience & cry. You will both wish you had the memories of such a special day. The opportunity to celebrate your love with your family & friends. The pictures to share with your children. While the courthouse may be easy- you will regret it.
-Yourself, 5 years in the future.

Emily,
There is still so much more. Keep being yourself. Keep loving your husband. Keep loving those three adorable babes. Things always work out the way they should. This adventure is long and crazy and as I have found out- it is wonderful. I cannot remind you enough to appreciate every single day.
-yourself, Now.