Thanksgiving 2016

20 Things I've Learned in 20 Years

1. Getting hurt is all a part of the process.
2. I'm very bad at watering plants.
3. I can be happy on my own. I am an independent person.
4. The bad little things don't matter. In five years you either won't remember or it won't matter. The good little things on the other hand are what count. They can change the path of your life and will be the stories you tell in the future.
5. Family is everything.
6. Taking a heart break gracefully is invaluable, regardless of whether you are breaking a heart or having your own broken.
7. Being comfortable and dressing cute aren't mutually exclusive.
8. When you find good friends hold onto them tight.
9. Fall in love every time. Even if it's only for a second. Even if you get hurt.
10. Be yourself all the time and don't give a fuck who sees. This means wear what you want, say how you feel, and don't change for anyone. This does not mean you get to disrespect other people or their beliefs.
11. Everything works out just how it is supposed to.
12. Dishes suck.
13. Taking care of yourself is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself and those around you. Loving yourself is not selfish.
14. I can do anything I want to.
15. Don't linger on first impressions. You have no idea what that person is dealing with.
16. Dog kisses can fix just about anything.
17. No one actually has their shit together, we all just pretend to.
18. Your feelings are valid. But so are everyone else's, even if you don't understand them.
19. Wash your face everyday and moisturize.
20. Give your all in everything you do and put others first.

Things That Happened in October

I ate lots of donuts and drank coffee

I went to the fair

I drank more coffee

I carved a pumpkin without freezing my hands off. Thanks North Carolina for 80 degree days in October.

Maci and I went on many walks.

I got to be Harry Potter for a night.

Maci became my pumpkin instead of my sunshine for a week, because lets be real she is freaking adorable in that pumpkin t-shirt

I also turned 20, drank even more coffee, failed a test, fell in love, got my nose pierced, almost burnt down my apartment, pet a camel, got more crystals, voted for the first time, and spent the weekend in Alabama with my family. To say the least October was a pretty great month. 

I Voted.

I still cannot think about the fact Donald Trump is going to be president without shaking. As this new reality sets in know everything will be okay. It is okay to be afraid but everything will be okay. My heart hurts for all the girls who’s president has no respect for their existence. My heart hurts for the children who will soon not have healthcare. My heart hurts at the thought of a wall dividing us between us and another country who makes us more diverse. My heart hurts for the women that may lose control of their own bodies. My heart hurts for the families who could be driven apart based on where they were born. My heart hurts for all the progress that will be erased. 

Angelica told me yesterday “they can only be closed minded for so long.” This is true. Trump may have control of the White, the House, and the Senate, but he does not have control of our actions. We can spread love, not hate. We can listen to each other. We can fight for our rights. We still get to stand together.  We can see value in each other, even with different opinions. 

Yet I still have hope that in four years we can take back our country. I have hope that we can still spread love to everyone we meet, even if our president does not. We are bigger. We are better.