Dear Teen Me

To celebrate the publication of Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves ( a new book of letters from 70 different authors to their teenage selves), edited by Miranda Kenneally and E. Kristin Anderson, bloggers have been writing a note to their young selves as well. Although  I am not a part of the blog tour supporting this effort, I have a couple things to say to my young self anyway.

Dear Teen Me,

You will use those four years of Latin throughout your academic career and life and be counted as one smart cookie.

Ignore those bad boys and don't be in a hurry. You will meet your partner whom you cherish and who cherishes you in your old-maidhood-mid-20s and will truly live happily ever after.

Those cranky librarians who kept asking you "if you had checked the catalog first" every time you asked a question did steer you into librarianship. You swore you would be kinder and more friendly to the public...and you did it - mostly!

The library will remain your inspiration, your refuge and your university throughout your life. That will never change. It's good to know that there are stable things out there.

You will never lose the fire that makes you care deeply.  So keep speaking truth to power. It won't hurt you a jot.

Finally, never give up; never surrender! You will make all your dreams come true by hard work and caring. Really. Truly. 

And hang in there, tootsie, life does get better!