Dear 18 Year Old Lauren

I was helping a friend yesterday with some fund raising work for our high school.  I went to boarding school for my last 2 years, and for many reasons it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Looking through my old yearbook, I was taken back to those glory days.  All those young faces with big futures ahead of us, eyes filled with joy and wonder, feeling invincible.

Well, 18 year old Lauren, I got some news for ya.

You won't always be able to eat the way you eat now.  So so sad, but true.  And tater tots with ketchup and mayo are gross, although fun at 2am in your tipsy state.  But don't make a habit of it.  The tater tots I mean.  We all know what happened with the booze (4th year sober!  Woohoo!).

Some of these friends, who you rely on and call family, will not be constant fixtures in your life.  Again, so sad but true.  But later, thanks to technology, you will be able to reconnect with them and grab glances into their lives, as they will into yours, and you will feel such a happy contentedness seeing where their lives have taken them.  And those old jokes you share today?  Still funny when you're 45.  In my humble opinion.

Some of these friends you have today, 18 year old Lauren, will remain a constant in your life.  And you will count these friends as family, even when you're an old lady of 45.

Did I mention I'm 45?

You will meet the love of your life, I promise.  You will kiss lots of frogs.  But it will all be worth it.

No offense, frogs.

You will fulfill your dream and become a mom.  You will love like you never knew you could.  You will be thrown some curve balls, so stand strong.  You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for, which is good 'cause you're going to need every ounce.  Don't want to spoil it for ya.  But even with the bumps, your children and husband will be that light that shines behind your eyes.  Every day.

You will get fat.  Weight Watchers, honey.  It works.

You and your sister will be tested A LOT!  But together you can get through anything.  Oh, and her husband will love your husband and they will take week long ski trips together and they will be the brother that the other never had.   Sometimes it's cute and sometimes it's annoying, but that's probably what they say about you and your sister, so get over it.

Some 80s fashion will come back, but leggings as pants are only something you should do at your age, 18 year old Lauren.  Just sayin'.

Take chances.  You will surprise yourself at what you can do that you never thought you could do.

Do NOT take chances with leggings as pants.  Other stuff, yes, like parasailing or Zumba.  Or writing.

Your hair looks best when it's down.  True for you now, true in the future.  Don't kid yourself.

Well, 18 year old Lauren, that's it for now.  There's more, of course, but I don't want to spoil it for you.  You will have an amazing time figuring it out for yourself.

Love, 45 year old Lauren