Hey dear,

it’s the future you,

I just wanted to warn you about some of the things you’ll do.

That guy you’re fallin’ for,

yeah you’re not the one he’s gonna adore.

He’s gonna tear you apart,

and I’m sorry but that's not the only one that'll break your heart.

When freshman year rolls around and you’re still together,

believe me when I tell you that you two won’t even last close to forever.

I know that he’ll still give you that special feeling inside,

but I’m telling you now, that’s when you need to run and hide.

Everybody’ll tell you that he’s bad news,

you won’t listen and he’ll be the one that you still choose.

Oh but sweatheart when he tears you to pieces,

I’m just going to warn you now, the heartbreak never really ceases.

You’re gonna build up your walls so high,

and you’re gonna cry till your eyes run dry.

The same year that you two end,

that’s the same time that you’ll learn that life isn’t something that you can pretend.

That big bruise on your left knee you got sophomore year from soccer,

don’t be surprised if by the end of that year you have a little stalker.

Junior year will be the hardest of all,

your grandparents will die and all your hope will fall.

That family tragedy will be too hard for your mamma to handle,

she’ll leave you and your daddy and you’ll lock yourself in your room with only a candle.

By the end of junior your whole life will be a wreck,

you’re daddy’ll tell you to get a job, that you guys really need another paycheck.

Middle of senior year, you’ll be home alone,

everything will be fine until you get that phone call, and they’ll tell you your mamma’s dead, something you never could have known.

Oh honey I’ll tell you now, running away won’t do anybody any good,

you’ll find yourself in the middle of nowhere, then realize that you did everything you ever could.

By the time you get home your daddy will be worried sick,

he’ll take you up and show what’s always been hiding up in the attic.

Mamma’s old stuff will be locked away in crates,

Daddy will give you the key, inside those boxes you’ll find stuff that’ll date back to when your mamma was eight.

All the stuff in those containers will help you to always keep pushing and never to quit,

every single one of your scars will have a story behind it.

Whether it’s friends, family, or guys, in the end you’ll be a stronger person,

no matter what happens you’ll always know how to function.

All the pain will fade with time,

sorry chicka but all through your life there’ll always be crime.

I can promise you one thing though, through all the heartache you’ll survive,

in the end, you’ll come out alive.

When it’s all said and done, you’ll walk around with a smile on your face,

and I’ll tell you one last thing, after everything’s over, nothing will you ever want to erase.

love,

the future you.