Dear Younger Me

It's 2018 but you are just five years old. We are sitting together on a longboard at Folly Beach. It's 6 a.m. We are watching the sun glide over the ocean. Your white-blond hair is drenched in saltwater. Your chubby cheeks are pink and your bright honey eyes are filled with innocent happiness. Mom and Dad are together now and Christy is seven swimming around closer to the shore. You are with me out here far away from the beach. I point to this dude with dark long hair paddling for a wave nearby. My younger self asks me, "who is that?" I lean down closer to your tiny ears and tell you, that's your future sweetie. Your dainty face turns quickly around in confusion but I just smile down at you and begin to paddle for our own wave. We both get up and surf the small east coast wave all the way in, together. With smiles on our faces, we paddle back out. I tell my 5-year-old self to observe the waves. I ask, do you see Katie how each wave is unique, tough, gentle, yet powerful? Learn their ways carefully but quickly. Once life begins, as it will soon for you, nothing can hold it back. Not your tears, your prayers, your stubbornness nor your forms of distractions. Nothing holds back these waves. They will come. some larger and scarier than others, but trust me, Katie, the size does not matter because you are learning how to surf them all. I know that you understand all of this because you have always been so wise just do not forget this lesson. Your life has beautiful and dangerous events ahead but you will learn to love all of them. Be patient, my sweet Katie. Stay kind and loving. Love with that huge heart of yours, and do not let the fear of failing to keep you from enjoying the waves of life.