A letter to 19 year old me

According to a lot of the "time travel" movies and tv shows, if you time travel, you must not under any circumstances run into yourself, the world will implode and the space-time continuum shuts down or something.  But what if you could?  What if you could go back in time and warn yourself about a really bad decision, or to convince yourself to take a leap of faith.  I've often wondered what 10 year old Michael Jackson would think of 40 year old Michael Jackson.  If he could say where his path led, would he have done differently?  Would I?

Oprah wrote a letter to younger her, and I can't say I read it (lazy and/or time efficient take your pick) but I did read a recap on a blog, which inspired today's post. 

Dear 19 year old me,

Although you'll never believe it, this is a letter from 32 year old you.  In many ways, I'm where you want to be, married with a house and a baby and a dog.  Momma and daddy are doing great, as are our siblings.  In other ways, my life isn't at all like the life that's going through your head.

• You're currently burning up the corporate ladder, you're going to be the youngest call center manager ever!  And you're going to be good at it.  Your employees will respect you because it's evident you care, and senior management will love your work ethic.  Be careful though, as much as it is awesome to be a "caring" manager, it's important to manage, and as much as you hate it, disciplinary stuff is a must. 
• You're going to get to the point where you think that you want to be VP of everything, that changes.  At some point, the sacrifices you make for work will cause problems in your relationship, and you'll have to choose.  I chose family, and don't regret it. 
• You've already met a guy who makes your heart sing, although you can't see it yet.  For now, you see it as fun, not realizing that you don't have the capacity for casual.  He's going to break your heart into a million pieces, but you'll forgive him.  He's a pretty awesome husband, and worth the struggles.  It's important to realize that you can't fix him, or right every wrong, or make up for his every injustice, and it's stupid to try.  It is your job, to help him be the best that he can be.
• You are super fly!  Even though you dress like a boy, and don't work what you've got.  You're not fat, you're thick and although fashion isn't a priority, you definitely should show off those curves sometimes. 
• LEAVE THE CREDIT CARDS ALONE! I realize that you're rich for a 19 year old, and you think you've got it all under control.  You don't.  And you will spend years trying to undo the damage you're doing now.  This is a lesson you will continue to repeat until you get it right.  
• No one expects you to be perfect, except you.  I know you don't believe a word of this, that somehow people will stop loving you if they're able to see your flaws.  The people who love you will always love you, flaws and all.  You're not going to learn this for a long time, hopefully you can come to grasp with this concept sooner than I did, because not understanding this will almost destroy you. 

Life is good.  There are ups and downs, but things are pretty wonderful here, you'll see sooner than you know.