childhood.

Where have the years gone?
Why was I so willing to wish away the last couple years, just so I could be 18?
Now looking back, I don't have regrets--
I just wish I savored them a little bit longer.
I wish I cherished the car rides with my parents for just a couple minutes.
I'm remembering it all tonight.
The moments I fought with my sisters instead of loving them.
The moments where I slammed my door & shut the world out.
The moments where I just wished for the better 'tomorrow.'
I wish I didn't take those moments of looking into your eyes for granted.
I want to sit in my mom's lap again & have her wash all my fears away.
I want to be a child again.
I don't want to graduate high school & move out.
This moment, right now. --I'm taking a lot in.
I'm beginning to think of my graduation speech.
& my future is coming upon me sooner than I had imagined.
Looking back, I can barely remember being 15.
or 16.
What if my children ask me someday what it was like to be 16?
What shall I tell them? I wouldn't know what to say.
Don't wish for the future so much that you forget to live in the now.
Riding to school with my mom every morning & having our morning talks--that is what I'm remembering right now.
Anyone that is out there listening, don't take your parents for granted.
Don't be embarrassed of them.
Love them.
Desire to have them around & have date nights with them.
Once you move out, it'll never be the same.
In their hearts, you'll always be their baby--but, in reality you'll be grown up.
Remember to be yourself.
Remember to create memories.
Remember to walk with confidence.
Remember to love your peers.
My heart remembers our dances, & laughs, & smiles, & moments that took our breath straight from our lungs. --don't forget those kind of moments. They were unbelievable in the first place for a reason.
Make memories & hold them close to your heart.

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This year has been-->crazy, inspiring, tough, frustrating, challenging & memorable. My senior year has been nothing that I expected it would be, but everything I hoped it would be. I've met people that have changed me & encouraged me to stand my ground & be who I've been created to be.
Teachers that have planted seeds in my life & believed in me & challenged me beyond what they most likely thought they were capable of.
Most importantly-->parents that have guided me to here. They've stood by my side through everything. They've protected me when I need protection & they've been my biggest supporters when there was no one else willing. They've seen me grow & step out of my comfort zone. They've been here for my first breath of life & now their baby girl is graduating high school.

New stepping stones-->new adventures.-->completely new people.
Just me, one girl, simply trying to find her place in this world.

To everyone that has made my senior year become what it is...thank you.
I'd love to hand write a personal letter to each & every one of you, but life gets in the way & my hand tends to cramp up very quickly.
So, from me to you--I thank you. deeply. You've made this year, indescribable.

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Well, it's late & this girl has a very big day planned tomorrow{or should I say, 'today.'} So, goodnight lovelies.

.Princess in Waiting.