I'm so excited to be part of the Dear Teen Me Blog Tour hosted by Zest Books. This book really struck a cord with me because it's not only a collection of undeniably real letters that gave my emotions a workout but also extremely relatable. Whether or not you can relate to the specific experience, it's easy to understand the struggles these individuals faced and the significant, sometimes life-changing moments they reflect on because we've all had them. The highly personal nature of the content is the man reason I can't review it. This book is to be appreciated, not critiqued.
I was so inspired that I decided to write my own letter. There were plenty of things I would have liked to tell teen me, but one thing jumped out at me -- my boyfriend. We've been together almost nine years now, but there was a time when we parted ways, well before me got romantic, and I thought I'd never see him again. Boy was I wrong!
Dear Teen Me,
Sometimes best friends aren’t forever, and your first one
won’t be. She will, however, give you a gift. No, it’s not an awesome birthday,
Christmas or Happy Friday present. It’s not even a thing, and it won’t have the
slightest impact on you until you’re a senior in college. Maybe even a little
later.
You’re fifteen when you agree to help you’re friend move,
and when you get to the house she’s moving into there are two other helpers. Her
boyfriend is one of them.
You’ve heard so much about him by now that shaking hands
doesn’t seem fit for the occasion. In your signature style, you tackle him in
the driveway. Remember to thank him for catching you and not letting you slam
face first into the gravel.
First impressions aren't always spot on. I know what they tell
you, but it’s all lies. At least when you’re fifteen and full of unnecessarily
harsh judgments. Yes, he’s a nerd. He’s not in the best shape. The lenses in
his glasses could double as a pair of those round winter sleds. Talking is not
his strong point but neither is physical prowess.
You’ll spend the next four years dancing around each other
until your friend calls off the engagement and breaks his heart in the process,
doing damage that won’t become apparent until much later.
