Dear Me,

It hasn't been an easy road, especially of late. If you're looking back, the last six months really can't be representative of your life, because all of those bad times happened despite everything you could have done. You've always had confidence issues, and a really hard time believing in yourself. You were the girl in High School who didn't believe she'd amount to anything. You were the girl in college who couldn't see a purpose beyond being there to help everyone else around you, the girl who made sure everyone else was taken care of but didn't see the value in caring for herself. You were the girl who tried so hard to be bubbly and happy all the time because it that was the way you had always been, and you know people have depended on you to be that person, even though you didn't actually feel that way inside. You were the girl who depended so much on what others thought of you, that you aimed to please everyone but yourself.

You were the girl who got knocked down time and time again, who almost gave up her dreams, but you didn't. You found a way to persevere, to continue on and keep trying. Even when you gave up on yourself, you didn't give up on your goals. You kept pushing when you didn't think there was a point. You found mentors who worked to help you believe in yourself, especially when you couldn't, and encouraged you in ways you didn't know possible. You found value in yourself beyond being someone who's sole purpose was to help those around you, and you learned to take care of yourself. You made it through college, and then your M.S., and now you're working on your PhD to become the meteorologist you always dreamed you'd be, not on TV, but behind the scenes, doing the research. You did all of this while still being the kind, caring, and helpful person you always were. You kept the best parts of yourself and adjusted to make sure you were kind, caring and helpful to yourself. You have accomplished so much, and still have so much more room for growth. I'm really proud of the person you have become, which is something you wouldn't have been able to say a few years ago. I love you, and I can't wait to see what you continue to do.

Love,
Me