Dear You,
I know you’re nervous walking onto campus for the first time with the buildings towering over you. The soft breeze hits your face as you leave your dorm for your very first college class. It’s exhilarating, truly. I’m not looking over your fears and nervous tummy, but I want you to know it’s all going to be okay. You’re going to switch your major with the confidence this is God’s calling, only to switch it back in one semester. Business is your passion sweet girl, embrace it. Your laugh is contagious, never let someone tell you otherwise. You’re going to miss mom and dad, that never really goes away you just learn to live with it.
You walk up the stairs to a daunting classroom with a bunch of potential new friends. Intro to Business is where you thrive, you get introduced to what your next few years will look like. What is it you feel? I know girl, they are feelings you can't explain. I get it. You have no idea what is coming, but you think you do and I love that about you. Your ambitions are as high as the skyscrapers in New York City, keep them there.
There will be boys. I know, I know, typical. Some of these boys will become your very best friends, but others you’re gonna fall for way too hard. Don't worry, you find a good one. He's a keeper, you'll see. There will be lessons, you must let your stubborn self learn. You’re going to be challenged. There will be drama amongst your girlfriends, but they weren’t lyin' when they say you find some of your lifelong friends at this foreign place. Patients is a virtue. It's allllll worth it. Trust me.
Little Abilene has a lot to offer, but sweet girl, please don’t forget to go see your parents every now and then. Yet, Abilene will become your home for a few short years. It’s a place that has a charm you can’t describe, fall in love with it.
You’re going to be tempted to stay out all night with your girls and dance with the cute boy, do it. Hear me out though, only a few times. It’s not a habit we want to mess with, but let yourself feel the freedom too.
Honey, you’re going to pledge. Ohhhh you’re going to pledge. You get into your top sorority with some of your very best friends and you’ll think life is complete. Part of it is, but life still must go on as you wear pink and green for the rest of your life.
Show up, be there, be engaged, and love on strangers. It will change your life.
Worrying about if you have a date to formal will eat your lunch, but don’t worry you'll find your people. Classes are going to get tough, you’re going to want to hang out with your friends instead of study. Study. Believe me, I chose the friends over classes many a time sweet girl, choose the books. You won’t regret it. Oh, and you’re going to lose track of how many cups of coffee you consume so don’t even try to keep track.
There will be moments when you feel the most alone you’ve ever felt, but thank you Jesus they are only moments. I must warn you, people that you thought were going to stay forever, leave. Let them. God is funny that way. He does this thing where He removes people or things in your life to make room for the better. Let Him.
You will be stretched in ways unfathomable. You’ll be pushed into the uncomfortable, sit in it. Professors are going to push you until you think you’re going to break. Yet, you won’t. Let yourself cry to your pop after a hard day, believe me, he still thinks you’re going to be president one day.
Your brain will be on overdrive, be busy, and read your Bible. Invest in yourself.
Talk to God, please. Everyday. Walking to class or brushing your teeth, stay in conversation with Him. That’s what He wants for you. He’s created a human He has full confidence in, find that in yourself too.
Hug a stranger. Say you’re sorry. Forgive. Love harder than you ever thought possible.
Because one day, you’ll be sitting in your last first day of class and all you will want to do is take that sweet girl on her first day of school, look her in the eyes, squeeze her tight, and say embrace every minute.
So take it from me, the stress, the joy, the studying, and even the crying - is all worth it.
P.s. Please don’t take advantage of seeing people's smiling faces in person. I'll explain why later.
xoxo A