Gracey,
When did you become old enough to be in high school anyway? You're 15 now?? Where's the little girl who would spend her days drawing and painting at her art desk? or running through the sprinklers smiling out of a partially toothless mouth? Nowadays, you're taller than me and smiling through braces. Unlike your big sister, you've mastered the art of makeup and hair straightening (or curling, whatever the day prefers). You've grown up. And quite frankly, it's weirding me out.
I still remember my first day of high school. Get this... I left our home wearing blue jeans, a blue short sleeve t-shirt, and (laugh as much as you want), one light blue shoe on my left foot and one purple shoe on my right foot. Honestly, I don't know why mom allowed me to leave the house. Luckily, you've been graced with the gene that grants you the gift of style and fashion... a gene that your big sister is dreadfully lacking.
Believe it or not sweet baby sister, today is the day, The start of the next four years of your life. Let me tall ya something, it'll go by in the blink of an eye. One moment you're walking through the halls for the first time, intimidated by the towering sophomores, juniors, and seniors passing by as you attempt to figure out how the locker combination works. The next moment, you're a senior preparing for graduation, still trying to figure out how the locker combination works. SO, I want to give you some advice or words of wisdom that I wish I had before walking through the blue and white (and now orange??) halls of Legend High School:
1) Real life high school is NOTHING like "High School Musical" 1, 2, or 3.
No one dances and sings on tables during lunch... unless you want to start that tradition because I'd be ALL for it.
2) Try everything you have an interest in, even if others think it's weird. Try it all. And if you don't like it, don't force yourself to continue.
3) Don't care about what others think.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the PERFECT potter who makes no mistakes. Embrace who you are entirely.
4) Go to ALL the home football games.
Even though the team may have a horrible season, nothing beats dressing up in Titan blue and screaming your heart out.
5) Contrary to popular word, high school is not the best times of your life.
Sitting in uncomfortable plastic chairs for 8 hours a day, surrounded by drama filled girls and emotionally immature guys gets quite tiring but...
6) You will meet people who will change your life (for better or for worse)
You'll make life-long friendships, meet teachers who see unending potential in you, and you'll find yourself laughing with those same people too many times to count
7) This one was the hardest for me. High school is FULL of change.
You'll lose friends you've had for years, you'll meet tons of amazing new people who will never leave your side. Life at home may change too... but, embrace the change because God works miracles through discomfort.
8) Don't eat food in the cafeteria too much
or your stomach will become your enemy.
9) Freshman year is just as important as all the others.
It determines where your GPA starts to form. And if you don't know what that means, don't worry... you'll know soon ;)
10) Don't make promises you can't keep.
11) Don't hold onto something that drains you.
12) Don't conform. You were made to stand out.
13) Boys suck. Enough said.
14) However, if you find a good guy, remember, you deserve honesty, respect, and kindness. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, ignore them.
15) Ignore nearly everything from Taylor Swifts song, "Fifteen"
As none of it rang true (at least for my fifteenth year of life)
16) Study hard
17) Respect your curfew.
Honor mom and dad, they only keep your best interests in mind.
18) Try not to procrastinate too much
It's hard to write a 10 page paper the night before it's due.... I mean it's possible, as I accomplished it with endless cups of coffee
19) Don't become a coffee addict like me ;)
20) Value your mental health above all.
If you need to cry, then cry. If you need to sleep, then sleep. (I really wish someone told me that my junior year)
21) Dress up for spirit days
Its fun to look silly
22) God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds by using time and pressure. He's working on you too.
23) You WILL have your broken
but that doesn't mean it'll be caused only by a boy.
24) No matter what great things you accomplish or what mistakes you make, your family will love you through it.
25) There is NO storm that God won't carry you through. No bridge that God won't help you cross. No battle that God won't help you with. No heartbreak that God won't help you let go of.
He is so much BIGGER than anything you can and will face. Leave it all in his hands and embrace the days knowing he will take care of you.
26) No matter what happens, I'm only a call/text/snap away
Grace, these next four years will reveal to you a lot about the world, about people, and about yourself. Don't stress or worry about what is to come. Darling, you have EVERYTHING it takes to make it in this world!
• Take a Deep Breath and Walk Through the Doors•
Love your older and sappy big sister - Mads
When did you become old enough to be in high school anyway? You're 15 now?? Where's the little girl who would spend her days drawing and painting at her art desk? or running through the sprinklers smiling out of a partially toothless mouth? Nowadays, you're taller than me and smiling through braces. Unlike your big sister, you've mastered the art of makeup and hair straightening (or curling, whatever the day prefers). You've grown up. And quite frankly, it's weirding me out.
I still remember my first day of high school. Get this... I left our home wearing blue jeans, a blue short sleeve t-shirt, and (laugh as much as you want), one light blue shoe on my left foot and one purple shoe on my right foot. Honestly, I don't know why mom allowed me to leave the house. Luckily, you've been graced with the gene that grants you the gift of style and fashion... a gene that your big sister is dreadfully lacking.
Believe it or not sweet baby sister, today is the day, The start of the next four years of your life. Let me tall ya something, it'll go by in the blink of an eye. One moment you're walking through the halls for the first time, intimidated by the towering sophomores, juniors, and seniors passing by as you attempt to figure out how the locker combination works. The next moment, you're a senior preparing for graduation, still trying to figure out how the locker combination works. SO, I want to give you some advice or words of wisdom that I wish I had before walking through the blue and white (and now orange??) halls of Legend High School:
1) Real life high school is NOTHING like "High School Musical" 1, 2, or 3.
No one dances and sings on tables during lunch... unless you want to start that tradition because I'd be ALL for it.
2) Try everything you have an interest in, even if others think it's weird. Try it all. And if you don't like it, don't force yourself to continue.
3) Don't care about what others think.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made by the PERFECT potter who makes no mistakes. Embrace who you are entirely.
4) Go to ALL the home football games.
Even though the team may have a horrible season, nothing beats dressing up in Titan blue and screaming your heart out.
5) Contrary to popular word, high school is not the best times of your life.
Sitting in uncomfortable plastic chairs for 8 hours a day, surrounded by drama filled girls and emotionally immature guys gets quite tiring but...
6) You will meet people who will change your life (for better or for worse)
You'll make life-long friendships, meet teachers who see unending potential in you, and you'll find yourself laughing with those same people too many times to count
7) This one was the hardest for me. High school is FULL of change.
You'll lose friends you've had for years, you'll meet tons of amazing new people who will never leave your side. Life at home may change too... but, embrace the change because God works miracles through discomfort.
8) Don't eat food in the cafeteria too much
or your stomach will become your enemy.
9) Freshman year is just as important as all the others.
It determines where your GPA starts to form. And if you don't know what that means, don't worry... you'll know soon ;)
10) Don't make promises you can't keep.
11) Don't hold onto something that drains you.
12) Don't conform. You were made to stand out.
13) Boys suck. Enough said.
14) However, if you find a good guy, remember, you deserve honesty, respect, and kindness. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, ignore them.
15) Ignore nearly everything from Taylor Swifts song, "Fifteen"
As none of it rang true (at least for my fifteenth year of life)
16) Study hard
17) Respect your curfew.
Honor mom and dad, they only keep your best interests in mind.
18) Try not to procrastinate too much
It's hard to write a 10 page paper the night before it's due.... I mean it's possible, as I accomplished it with endless cups of coffee
19) Don't become a coffee addict like me ;)
20) Value your mental health above all.
If you need to cry, then cry. If you need to sleep, then sleep. (I really wish someone told me that my junior year)
21) Dress up for spirit days
Its fun to look silly
22) God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, and coal into diamonds by using time and pressure. He's working on you too.
23) You WILL have your broken
but that doesn't mean it'll be caused only by a boy.
24) No matter what great things you accomplish or what mistakes you make, your family will love you through it.
25) There is NO storm that God won't carry you through. No bridge that God won't help you cross. No battle that God won't help you with. No heartbreak that God won't help you let go of.
He is so much BIGGER than anything you can and will face. Leave it all in his hands and embrace the days knowing he will take care of you.
26) No matter what happens, I'm only a call/text/snap away
Grace, these next four years will reveal to you a lot about the world, about people, and about yourself. Don't stress or worry about what is to come. Darling, you have EVERYTHING it takes to make it in this world!
• Take a Deep Breath and Walk Through the Doors•
Love your older and sappy big sister - Mads