Dear Me,
If I could go back in time…I would write a letter to my younger self.
After all, my younger self truly could be schooled and educated a bit in many things.
So in this letter, I will tell my insecure teen and early twenties self a few things.
The major theme I would share with her is that you will find happier ever after.
See all the frogs in the pond were indeed worth it to find your Prince Charming or Mr. Right.
Mr. Right Waiting For Me Right Before We Indeed Got Married!
I swear he truly exists and not just in fairy tales. No one is perfect, but there is someone out there that is pretty close and he will truly love you for you, because let’s face it you aren’t perfect either.
You will finally wise up at the ripe old age of 26 and decide once and for all that you will find a person worthwhile of loving and respecting you for you.
You will find this love in a place you never thought imaginable online (Match.com) and this is a person you most likely ran into many times as you only live 5 minutes away from each other. You went to neighboring high schools and even attended the same state university for your undergraduate work, as well as frequented a lot of the same bars and such. To read more about how you met each other, please click here.
Trust in yourself and know that in the end, all the bad dates and relationships you have endured will be worth it in the end.
Life may not be a bowl of cherries everyday in the future and you will always have your moments, but try to know the overall picture is indeed a master piece and you are blessed for it. Keep in mind that life is really what you make of it.
So even though, fairy tales only exist in Disney movies, you will get your own version. Have no fear about that with a loving, faithful and honest husband.
Dancing Away Happily Ever After!
Plus, you will get to be the mom to two adorable and amazing little girls, too (even if they drive you crazy with messes like this!)
These two know how to make me smile!
Again you will hit bumps and potholes along the way, but the end result is they are definitely filled in and much smoother driving or sailing in your thirties for sure.
And by the way, 30 isn’t old neither is 36 years old nor 37 years old or even 38 years old!
38 Isn’t Old!
What would you tell yourself?
*This was written for a FTSF theme back in the Spring of 2014 originally.
Dana says
It's funny – whatever age I am suddenly feels not so old! What a sweet letter, Janine – you certainly did get your prince!
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Dana and I know I just hope my prince reads this, because he was just saying there wasn't enough him on my blog recently lol!! 🙂
Chris / HyeThymeCafe says
I don't care what age I am … it would just be nice if at some point, my brain and my body would agree on an age lol.
My recent post Teavivre Tea for Life
Janine Huldie says
I know exactly what you mean and not sure either know what age I am either!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
I love your letter to younger you and wish all young people, before they were married, or have kids, realize that things will happen for a reason. And dude. Sorry but 37 ain't old, either!! 😀
My recent post The time I was abducted by aliens and could change my past
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks for saying that about 37 and must admit somedays I just can't help, but feel old, but need you around more to remind me it isn't!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
So so SO glad you linked this. Truly. I remember reading it then and loving it and love it so much now, as well. It’s so true that we find love when we least know we will and younger us is kinda dumb 😉
Janine says
Aw, thanks Kristi and it truly dawned on that I pretty much wrote about this topic the more I looked at the prompt yesterday. As soon as I searched it on my site and it came up, I was smiling so much knowing I could use it to link up with you for the last prompt of 2015 😉
Billybuc says
If I could go back in time…I'd do it the same way. Everything I have done led me to this place, this person, this love. 🙂
Have a great weekend Janine!
Janine Huldie says
Love your answer Bill and wishing you too a great weekend now!! 🙂
donofalltrades says
Awe, this is lovely. Um, yeah, I wish I was 37 again. It's funny how relative things are. I wonder if it's better not knowing some things though. Surprises are pretty great too!
Janine Huldie says
Don, surprises are pretty great and can tell you I still love being surprised on Christmas and my birthday, too. so, couldn't agree more 🙂
basicallyb says
Very sweet. I would also tell my insecure middle school self that it in fact gets better. And as much as I dreaded turning 30, I definitely feel more secure now than I ever did. It's not THAT old. There. I said it.
My recent post Going back in time
Janine Huldie says
Lol, no isn't that old and couldn't agree more with you 🙂
dishofdailylife says
What a sweet story! I would probably tell my junior high and high school self that things get much, much better in college!
My recent post Let’s Get Real Blog Hop #34
Janine Huldie says
That would be a good to share Michelle and would totally tell my college self that, too 🙂
Karen says
love the letter and that wedding pic…LOVE IT! You can so see the love! beautiful Janine. I agree 37, 38, 39 are not old…not even 40… we are all still hot and sexy!
My recent post All Those Precious Memories
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Karen and I know I keep reminding myself that we aren't old 🙂
MelChi says
Such a great letter! And I can't believe how confused we were in our 20s. I don't think I'd want to be that age again. I'm enjoying my 30s way too much. And you look fantastic for almost 37! Have a stunning weekend! 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thank you for saying that about me and the picture here of me. I know I truly wouldn't want to be in my 20s again, but still to know what I know now! Happy weekend to you, too!! 🙂
massholemommy says
37 definitley isn't as old as we thought it was back when we were in our 20's!
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Janine Huldie says
So true Robin and I thought 37 at 20 was ancient. Now not so much!! 🙂
Real. Life. Parenting. says
So many things I could tell my younger self!! I've been channeling all those things into conversations with my kids. I know they'll have to learn most of it for themselves, but if I can help them with even one struggle I had, I hope I can! I love your approach to this week's theme!!
My recent post Perfectly Imperfect: Learning to Appreciate My Mistakes
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Jennifer and I seriously hope my girls aren't as stubborn as me and do let me give them some advice, because as a teen sadly I thought my mother knew nothing. I know better now, but still back then not so much!
The Dose of Reality says
Oh, this was so sweet! You did find your other half. Nobody is perfect, but you got as close as humanly possible! You guys are so adorable together!
I am turning 46 next week…and in my 20s…LAWD…that was ENTIRELY ANCIENT. I don't actually feel ancient (well, most days). WHO KNEW?!
I'd tell my younger self to enjoy the hell out of my 20 year old body. I was never happy with it even though looking at pictures now IT WAS GLORIOUS! My 20 year old self didn't realize how good she had it. 😀 –Lisa
Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I know I was the same way and never appreciated the body I had back then. But damn if I knew then what I know now! Seriously though, thank you and you are truly too kind 🙂
jasteck says
Great minds think alike, Janine. 🙂 I remember thinking how old 30 was…I never could have imagined how ancient I would be at my current age of 55. I'm so glad your fairy tale came true.
My recent post Dear Me – A Message to My Younger Self
Janine Huldie says
I was totally thinking this when I read yours and loved that we tackled this sentence similarly!! 🙂
ginnymarie says
I would have told myself the same thing! Waiting for the right man was truly worth it, and I didn't realize it in my 20's. I was 31 when I found him! 🙂
My recent post Once, I Loved a Dog {Spin Cycle}
Janine Huldie says
I was 26, when I met Kevin, but still I totally wish I knew when I was younger that he existed, because I truly never imagined how good it could be 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
Love it! Neither is 43 😉 Until you really really REALLY can't remember where you parked your car or what entrance you came in. 😉
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Kenya I have done both of those and not just once. And 43 isn't old either 🙂
Kat says
When we were young it seemed that every bad moment, every bad date, was the end of the world and that it would never get better. That letter would have helped so many of our younger selves. Well done 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kat and I think we all felt similar to this in our younger years and just hope we could have given our younger selves some hope for bigger and better was to come 🙂
Lisa @ Golden Spoons says
Love this! If I wrote a letter to my younger self, I would say a lot of the same stuff. High School was awful, but life definitely got better. Oh, and we're the same age – I turned 37 in March – definitely NOT old! 🙂
My recent post Three For One
Janine Huldie says
Definitely not old and I thought we were the same age. I am June and still have a few more weeks of 36, but still love that we are pretty much the same age 🙂
April G says
I couldn’t really think of anything this week. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say but I wouldn’t want my life to change. Going through the struggles i went through got me here, ya know? Plus I’ve had major computer problems all week. I linked up an old post which was weird because I can see how much my writing has changes.
Janine Huldie says
Oh no worries and trust me, April I had some computer issues last night and am hoping they are now solved. Was truly thinking I was in for it with having to have my computer repaired by Apple Genius Bar. So not fun!
Scott Oglesby says
If I could go back in time I'd put Hitler in Abe Lincoln's seat at the Ford Theater.
Janine Huldie says
Many would say this!
tamaralikecamera says
I love your story with Kevin. It's just crazy – meant to be.
I have so many things I'd do if I went back in time, and then there's the Doctor Who part of me that says I'd let everything just be everything, because it all led to this.
I'd really love to tell some people off! Isn't that a bit petty?
My recent post What I Want You To Know.
Janine Huldie says
Isn't petty at and totally have a few people I wish I could go back and tell off. This is why I love you so, because you are yet again so alike with me on this and more 🙂
themomcafe says
Oh what a PRECIOUS letter Janine!!! I love that you found your "happily ever after" and those blessings continue to come! Beautiful picture of you dancing in your GORGEOUS wedding dress!!
Tell your younger self that 40's aren't old either, would ya? 😉
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Janine Huldie says
I will totally tell her Chris and thank you my sweet friend for all your kind words here!! 🙂
notinjersey says
I do sometimes wonder what my younger self would think about my life now. I have known Dave since I was 18 and knew I'd be with him forever pretty soon (like 6 months later) so I'd have to go all the way back to high school to inform my younger self to hold on just a few more years!
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Janine Huldie says
I know even a few short years back then seemed like too long 🙂
tinarobmorley says
That's a very encouraging letter and a great idea! I enjoyed seeing the happy photos. Happy soon-to-be 37! Wishing you a great weekend with your family.
My recent post Time Travel and a Blog Hop
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thank you so much for the early birthday wishes and wishing you, too a wonderful weekend ahead now 🙂
kellylmckenzie says
Yes! The rewind button. We should all be equipped with a rewind button. Mind you – we need to ensure we read the instructions FIRST …
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Janine Huldie says
Yup, those peaky instructions get us every time, Kelly 🙂
marydenman says
Thanks for hosting.
If I cold go back in time, I would have called my mother every single day for the last year of her life. (She passed away last May 1, 2013.) I did call her a couple of times a week, and she knew how much I adored and loved her. But I would have called more. So now, I call my daddy almost every day. He's 89 and won't be around for forever. So I'm not missing any time I can have with him since he lives in another state. Lesson learned!
Janine Huldie says
A very good lesson learned and try my best to enjoy everyday I have now with my parents, because they too are getting older and I know I don't want to have this type of regret myself ever.
anothercleanslate says
You're right- 37 is not old! And glad you found your fairy tale 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much Kate 🙂
christyb says
Great post! I think we would all love to go back at some point and prepare our selves for what is to come… I'm so glad you have such a wonderful family and much love around you xo
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Christy and I know really just being able to go back to indeed prepare ourselves for what was to come 🙂
aquileana says
Really beautiful… What a truly touching story behind your "Charming Prince" and cute daughters… I loved it Janine,
Best wishes, Aquileana 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Aquileana for your kind words here 🙂
Stephanie Sprenger says
I love the idea of writing a letter to my younger self- so much to say! 🙂 And you are SO right- 37 is not at all old!
Janine Huldie says
I know Stephanie, i have to so keep telling myself that 37 isn't old!! 🙂
clark says
if only! we did this for ourselves. but then, would we have believed it, even if it was verified: 'from me' lol
thought provoking…great pitchas too!
Janine Huldie says
I know only if we could, Clark!! 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
So fun – I didn't realize that y'all met through Match.com – even better since you grew up so close!!! (my sister met her husband through one of the dating sites)
Love the wedding picture – gorgeous!
And, 36 nor 37 are even close to old – just getting started into some of the best years of life!!!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kim and truly hoping that this is the best time yet to come for sure now!! 🙂
joellewisler says
Congratulations on finding your happily ever after! Sometimes we have to kiss a lot of frogs to get there.
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks and totally agree about those frogs before getting our happily ever after 🙂
lovingmarshall says
What a sweet post! So cute! It was fun to see your wedding pictures too.:)
If I could go back in time, I would tell my college Lauren to relax. I was way too uptight and missed out on some super fun times because I was such a rule follower. Ha!
My recent post Turning the page
Janine Huldie says
I was totally a rule follower, too when I was younger and you are so right nice to know you can indeed break the rules and relax sometimes 🙂
pfchico says
Awwwww. What a great story. I love your letter. I am glad that you found your happily ever after. What a beautiful love story. I actually wanted to write a post for this one but didn;t find the time. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't change a thing. I made a million and a half mistakes and have done more things that I regret than I would like to admit, but I learned & grew from them all & now have a life that I would not change one iota,
Janine Huldie says
Truly all about what you have learned from those mistakes and couldn't agree more with you on that. And sorry you got busy and couldn't linkup with us, but totally get it and I have my weeks too 🙂
Tarana says
We've all been there – feeling like we would never find 'the one', but things turned out fine, mostly! So glad you found your true love 🙂
My recent post Things I wish I'd known as a new mom
Janine Huldie says
I know Tarana and just glad I I did indeed find Mr. Right 🙂
dianeroark says
Janine,
I love the picture of your husband. He looks like a little kid. Your wedding picture is beautiful. You could be a hair model.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks Diane and I seriously have too much hair, but a model would have been nice 🙂
irkedmommy says
I love this, Janine! I would tell myself that Fairytales can happen as well! Also, you look FANTASTIC at 37!
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Janine Huldie says
Aww, thank you Echo for saying that and huge hugs (made me feel like a million bucks on that comment!!) 🙂
Anonymous says
You hit the nail on this one Janine. I would say….have to get past the thorns to find the rose! You did find your happy ending and are living the life you were meant to have. And very proud of you too. Age is a number….we have good role models in our family for living well and living long! Enjoy! xxoo
another jennifer says
This is so sweet, Janine! I think I'd have a lot to tell my younger self at this point. Oh, if only we knew what was up ahead!
Janine Huldie says
I know I would truly tell her so much, Jennifer 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much xoxo 🙂
canigetanotherbottleofwhine says
42 is old. Just kidding. I feel old though – some days. Aah the things we'd tell our younger selves. I still don't think I'd listen to me. I just couldn't imagine my life any different than it was at those moments in high school/college.
Nellie says
Awww this is so beautiful! Both of your girls look SO much like hubby!! I love those wedding pictures so beautiful. There is certainly someone for everyone and its great that you found your prince! If I could go back, I think I would tell myself that I can do way more than I thought if I really tried 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
Nellie, I am so with you on doing so much and still going even being tired, too!! 🙂
Allie says
Love this! And momma, you are still just a baby. I promise!
Janine says
Aw, Allie I love you to pieces and even more for saying this tonight! Hugs 😉
Kelly L McKenzie says
The best part? You are so appreciative of all that you have. Love that, Janine.
Janine says
Aw, I really am Kelly and thank you always for your kind words, too 😉
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom says
Love this! So wise right here: “No one is perfect, but there is someone out there that is pretty close and he will truly love you for you, because let’s face it you aren’t perfect either.”
Janine says
Katy said perfectly and just couldn’t agree more!!