Dear Younger Me

This picture was one of my senior pictures taken four years ago. It came up on my facebook timeline memory thing.

Dear younger me,

Words nor music nor screaming nor pictures can express what you're going to go through in the next four years.

In short, you're not going where you think you are.

I can't bring myself to tell you that you're going to betray the girl you love, that the one you leave her for will tear your heart from your chest before you can come to your senses.

You wouldn't believe me if I told you that the God you so despise today will find you in September of next year (2015) and will raise you up and offer you a life you'd never thought possible. Take a hold of this new life and don't let anyone take it from you.

You're going to give up everything you've ever known, you're going to walk away and take chances that you can't take back. You're going to burn bridges you can't repair.

You're going to wake up night after night with your world spinning around you surrounded by people you don't know and realize that it's all left you empty. But it won't stop you from doing it again. Not for a long time.

Drugs and alcohol and betrayal are going to suck the life from your eyes, your Demon is going to overcome you. But Don't let him slit your throat. Don't let bitterness become you.

Please, for the love of God, Don't stop taking your meds.

Fort Collins is beautiful, but it will be tainted by the memories of her. It will always remind you of those dark nights. The very smell of alcohol will move your heavy heart to bitter tears, but Don't give up, because you won't be there forever.

I know you don't believe in God yet, but he will change your life. Soon after your betrayal,
He's going to bring the most beautiful woman you've ever seen to you. The relationship you form with her will tear holes in both of you at first, and she will be the most challenging person you'll ever meet. She will be the most worthwhile person you'll ever meet.

Chase her with everything you have.
Love her Gently, and listen to her when she hurts. Do not give up on her. Don't you dare walk away from her.

Don't listen to them when they tear into you. Listen to the voice who calls you home. Listen to the voice who doesn't tear you down, because you are worth it. But you will never be able to give them what they want from you, so forgive them and walk away when you`re ready. Maybe someday they'll take time to know the man you were made to be.

Take care of the Jeep. It gets pretty sketchy in 2016, but I still haven't figured it out.

Don't try to follow anybody's footsteps. Your story is unlike anyone else's.

It's going to get worse before it's gets better, but it's been four years and I'm okay.

Above all else, Remember that The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

-Dylan, 21 years old