A Letter to My Younger Self About Love

There are oh-so-many things I wish I'd told my younger selfabout love, if I'd known then what I know now. If I could, I would travel back in time to have a chatty poo with Younger Me about matters of the heart.

So I've penned a letter to her from Older and Wiser Me with all the love lessons I've learned and would have passed on -- if only I'd known better.

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Dear Younger Me,

You're a sweet thing, you know that? Behind that gruff exterior lies a very soft heart. That soft heart, while frustrating at your age, will allow you to do some very good things in the world later in life. Embrace your soft heart and remind yourself that it's okay not to be the tough girl all the time.

Don't waste your time on boys who aren't worthy of you. We all have to kiss a few frogs, no doubt, but the losers you will (and do) pick aren't worthy of the air you breathe. You'll see that with time.

Guys aren't complicated creatures. You don't need to pore over every interaction with him to determine whether or not he "might like you." Body language interpretation is interesting and all, but really, if a guy is into you, he's into you. And if he's not that into you? Screw him. His loss.

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The love affairs you see on television and in movies are bullshit. Love -- real love -- is something that is much more powerful, much deeper, and much more intense. You'll know it when you see it. And you'll find it (cliché as it is) when you least expect it.

If he's not that into you, dump him. You'll waste entirely too much time on him -- which is partially his design. He's a confused guy and he's sending you completely mixed signals. It's no wonder you've been hung up on him for so long.

Don't put up with anyone who doesn't respect you. Whether it's boyfriends, lovers, fiancés, or even plain old friends, just ... just don't. You'd never teach your own daughter (who is your carbon copy, by the by) to allow others to treat HER that way, so don't allow it for yourself.

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Never stop dreaming of your happy ending, but be realistic. It will come, I promise you. But this is real life, not a fairy tale.

Love,

Older and Wiser You

P.S. Red hair? NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR YOU.

What would YOU tell your younger self about love?

Image via Aunt Owwee/Flickr

Written by Aunt Becky on CafeMom's blog, The Stir.

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