Dear Victoria

Dear Victoria,

Life must seem pretty good for you now. You’re almost 10! That is a big number for you. I know most of your friends have already reached those double digits but you are almost there! Does it seem like those friends are starting to meet other people and spend more of their time with them instead of you? Are they moving away and mom has to drive you to see them?

It’s OK. That will happen throughout your life. Even if you feel lonely, you will make some new friends. But, you know what else will happen? You will lead. You will be the trailblazer that finds new roads. Those old friends may follow but they will be on your path behind you. Your own path is exciting but can be dangerous. Make sure you really know what you are doing. Don’t lose focus on where your path is heading. It is OK to change your direction but have a plan when you are moving forward. And, always move forward. Backwards may be easy but you've been there and even though it is comfortable, it is boring.

I know you love animals and want to be a marine biologist when you grow up. That is awesome! Learn as much as you can about all those whales, sharks and seals. You always have such great facts like about how sea lions communicate. Learning is always fun so stay curious. Stay curious in the different books you read too. Babysitter’s Club is great but make sure you get to that next book of Little House on the Prairie. When you’re older, you’ll have a bunch of favorites in all kinds of subjects.

So there are going to be some people who come into your life and they will seem really fun. Enjoy your time with them but be smart about it. Yes, parties are fun but sometimes people drink a little too much alcohol for their own good and they get sloppy. Don’t get sloppy. Have fun but stay in control. There could be some bad people at a party as well and you don’t want them taking advantage of you. Remember, you can always leave. Call mom for a ride home or even have a friend pick you up. You got this!

Mom is going to ask you to sign up for martial arts. You will have fun there even though it will be a lot of work. You will be bad-ass (sorry for my language). It’s true! Maybe you can even learn to disable an attacker with two fingers and then brag about it to your friends. This will also come in handy to help you with some of those bad people you will meet. You may not have to fight them but you will know what you can do if the situation turns ugly.

On a different note, work will be fun for you. You will meet new friends and learn new skills: Learning the library system, bar tending, making videos, promoting travel. You will get to see new places all over the world. I know geography really isn’t your thing right now but it will get interesting once you start actually going to those places. Remember when we went to the beach and saw the dolphins? There are so many more beaches out there for you to explore! Remember when you took that ferry ride to the bead store in Baltimore and found that really cool art gallery? There are so many other cities to explore too!

Money isn’t everything in this world. Work hard to have your own so you don’t need to rely on others for anything. You can do what you want, when you want, when you have your own resources. Marry someone for money? You won’t be happy. Marry someone who tells you what to do? You won’t be happy. Marry someone who hurts you? You won’t be happy. You will be happy when you find that person who lets you be yourself and do what you want; that someone who will care for you at every step of your journey and who will be your partner in crime. Not someone to ride on your bootstraps through life but someone you can hold hands and walk beside on your journey together. Just remember that you have to do all of that for them as well to make it fair. That’s the way a good relationship works.

On a personal note: Save some of that birthday money. Mom is going to make you get a job to save up and buy your first car all by yourself soon. Don’t let distractions like other kids getting a car for their 16th birthday distract you. You will learn to appreciate buying your own stuff. I promise. There will be a lot of distractions like buying candy, drinks, gas money and college. You know what you should spend that extra cash on though? Stocks. Ask mom to help you set up a portfolio so you can start saving now. Check out Google, Amazon, Apple, Walmart and Bitcoin when the time is right. You’ll thank me later.

I can’t wait for you to go out there and find yourself. Find what truly makes you happy. Be that strong and independent woman who is inside of you. You will be great and I can’t wait for you to become me in 30 years. I love you!

-Victoria