Dear Cosette

Salutations, and congrats! You're officially at the top of the high school food-chain, a better-liked Marie Antoinette with a far superior partner-in-crime than her husband ever was. I bet an ambitious and powerful Maria Theresa raised you, and I'm glad of it, because if anybody deserves the best, it's probably him.

I've never met you, or maybe I have; I don't know yet. Nevertheless, I am absolutely certain that you were meant to find each other for a reason. Maybe it's as simple as him adoring the way you laugh when he teases you; maybe it's the way the hours fly by when you listen to him in one of his impassioned rants, free of his usual refined rhetoric. Maybe it's the way he holds your hand, or looks into your eyes like you're the only girl in the world. I don't know; I haven't experienced the above, but I know you will.

I'm not going to preach about what you should do, because frankly, I'm not accredited in that department. Perhaps if I dated before, or was in a lasting and fulfilling relationship, you'd pretend to pay attention to my remarks. However, if you're the kind of girl I think you are, maybe you'll listen a little, then choose what you want to keep.

I'm going to paint a brief picture of who I imagine you to be, but mind you, it's only an estimate. I could care less about your phenotype, but your character I can reckon with. You're a visionary, with big dreams and defined goals; you walk with purpose, your chin lifted, and smiling even when you think everything's crashing down around you. You're a game-changer, and make him bring his A-game all day and every day when he's around you, because you encourage him to be the best he can be. You soften his acute cynicism by your example; you're the kind of girl who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty, with the biggest of hearts and the sharpest of minds, your eyes seeing opportunity and the beauty in everything. You fight for the things you want; you'd fight for him if he needed you, but you'd never fight to keep him. You have each other's backs, and the love that blossoms between you two grows on respect, trust, and two devilish senses of humor. Your relationship is beautiful because you cherish it, and you guys are a team in everything you do, in trial, in tribulation, temptation, and joy. You're the kind of pair that sit cross-legged and star-gaze at night; you teach him ad astra per aspera and nil desperandum, and he shows you that even the most dazzling of stars have dark intents, and to question everything you used to believe blindly.

Most of all, darling, you're good. You have faults, but they're what shape your character, and are what people cherish about you. You're good because you care, sometimes too much, but you'll never be a bystander, or grow apathetic to the problems that surround you. You're good, and that's why he's going to fall so hard for you.

I know you'll achieve anything you set that determined mind to, but please always pursue what sets your soul on fire. Cliched, I know, but seriously. We have one life, a once-in-a-lifetime deal, and you better go out and make the best of it. Sure, you'll fall and scrape your knees, but keep getting back up. Be a fighter, honey, because that's the kind of girl you are. Fortune favors the bold every time.

Although you're hustling and chasing your goals daily, remember to enjoy the journey too. Laugh so hard that your sides hurt. Dress up and go out with friends, and sing karaoke even if it's off key and everyone's watching. Dance til you fall on the floor and disgrace yourself, but charm your way out of it. Cry over nostalgic Disney films. Run for student office even if you're literally up against the next William Jennings Bryan, with the charm of a Kennedy, because why not embarrass yourself forever? Talk to that kid in the corner, because you'll find one of the best people you'll ever know there. Fear messing up speech and debate? Sure, put yourself out there! Live your life fearlessly, and help up people when they fall, even when they won't do the same for you, because that doesn't matter in the end. Compliment the girls in the bathroom, even when you're secretly awfully jealous of how they look or what they do, and never, ever beat yourself up for not being more like them. There's only one you, and frankly, it's best that way, 'cause with that attitude, we'd be royally screwed if there were more!

And good God, I can't stress this enough, because this is where I fall short. Open up your heart to being hurt, okay? It's counter intuitive, and crazy to say, but I promise you'll never regret it. Love with all your heart and soul; love like you're eighty years old and have nothing to lose. It's scary, because you're used to putting up walls to defend yourself, but what's the use if he keeps breaking them down so effortlessly?

I'm willing to bet that he's the first guy you've met who you can picture spending the rest of your life with. He's great, isn't he? His friends tell me it's hard to get him to open up, but he'll risk that with a girl like you. As perfect as he seems, he's got faults too, and I hope you have the empathy to forgive them, and even learn to cherish his imperfections. Be brave enough to fall head over heels for each other, because why hold back? It's the sentiment that makes the wisest lose their senses, so go for it! It's better to have risked getting hurt than to have never ventured out.

Well, I guess I'm more sentimental than I give credit to myself for. Oops, I'm a hopeless romantic, but I'll tell you a secret: I don't really practice what I preach. Truth to be told, I've built up so many barriers around my heart that it's too treacherous for anyone to brave through. And trust me when I say I'm beginning to regret it deeply.

Fall in love with him without your foot in the door. Fall in love without looking back. Fall in love without arming yourself beforehand, and fall in love with only the man in front of you, not his potential. Finally, no matter what, don't forget to love yourself, too.

With all my heart,

Eponine