Dear Social Networking Sites,

I love you. I hate you. I waste far too much time on you!

Thanks for making it easy to stalk people that I went to school with, without the pain of having to actually talk to them!

(Follow me here)

<3

Sophie

Dear One Tree Hill!

I love you. All 9 series’ of you.

Thanks for always being there for me whatever my mood! I watch you when I’m tired. I watch you when I’m feeling sorry for myself. I watch 10 episodes of you on those days that I have a hangover so bad I never want to drink again.

One request though, please bring Lucas back! The world is a much better place when my Monday night includes Chad Michael Murray!

How about you? What’s your go-to, chill out programme?

A Letter To My 16 Year Old Self.

Dear 16 year old Sophie,

Things are a little tough at the moment, huh? Let’s talk it through, one step at a time.

It’s so good to see that you are enjoying school – I know the day-to-day business gets a little mundane, but you are so lucky not to loathe it. Work hard, be kind, and think seriously about some of the choices you are making before next year. They’re important – talk to people, do some research and listen to the advice everyone is so willing to give.

But remember, school is important but it is not the end of the world. Don’t stress yourself out too much (because we both know you do – it would help if you learnt to manage your stress a little earlier on!)

How’s that crush on D going anyway? He is a lovely boy, but don’t push your worries about his age to one side. I wish I could tell you how it was all going to work out, but where’s the fun in that?! Don’t be scared to talk to him as much as you like, and ignore all the teasing at work – everyone is just jealous that you two are so close! He is beautiful, after all!

It was so unfair that your Dad was taken away so soon. Life is cruel sometimes, but you will get through this. You’re lucky to have such a supportive group of friends around you who really would do anything to see you smile at the moment. It’s important that you know that everyone’s grieving process is different, and that a) it’s okay not to be okay, and b) it’s never too late to ask for help. Take a deep breath, smile, and go out there and make him proud.

You make friends every where you go – remember that and see it as a reason never to be anything other than yourself. Speak up, be strong and enjoy yourself – that’s what teenage years are for!

With love and promises that everything will be okay in the end,

22 year old Sophie.

A Letter To The One That Got Away.

Dear The One That Got Away,

I hope this letter will come as a pleasant surprise – or at least a pleasant confirmation of niggling doubt (It’s times like this that I wish I could read your mind!) – either way, I hope you’re not digusted by the revelations! (I’m scared now..)

I have spent about 2 years (on and off, I’m not that much of a stalker!) now trying to figure these feelings out, but I guess it’s about time to come clean – somewhere between late night study buddy dates, sunbathing with pizza and an abundance of drunkeness, I fell for you.

Apparantly it was obvious to everyone else that we were crazy about eachother?! (If you had heard these rumours and a) didn’t tell me, or b) it was true and you didn’t declare your undying love for me (!) then I’m going to kill you!)

Do you remember that day you came round to our place and the girls and I were sunbathing in the garden? (You were wearing a white top if that helps – stalker alert!) 3rd housemate had her boyfriend around and the way we acted towards eachother prompted him to believe that you were my boyfriend.

I’m not 100% sure where I’m going with this (standard!) but I guess that afternoon just cemented the feelings in my mind (I think it took me a while to realise what I felt at all…you know what I’m like!)

On the night that we did finally start to get together (so so drunk, but YES! AT LAST!) I wish I’d told you how much I’d wanted it to happen, or asked you what you thought, how you felt, or suggested that we carried things on – but in the morning I was just so relieved that nothing was awkward and you got up and walked me home, and that we were still friends, that any other thoughts just went to the back of my mind…

I guess what I’m trying to say through all this rambling is that I like you, and I have done for a long time now, and some things that I’ve heard (and seen/imagined) suggest that you do or have felt the same, so I need to know where you’re at with this?!

I’ve spent a while (read: all my free time) thinking about this and trying to get over it, but I think I owe it to myself (and you) to tell you and see what happens. As long as I always have you as a friend I will be fine.

Love,

Sophie.

A Letter To My 20 Year Old Self.

Dear 20 year old Sophie,

It’s your second year at university and you are having the time of your life – seriously, you should be appreciating it more.

Your social life is jam packed, but we both know that you should be studying a little more. The party will always be there, but when you graduate with a 2.2 you will wish that you’d stayed in a little more often and read a little more. Don’t panic about the future though – it takes a while but everything turns out okay.

Know that you have the best friends in the world – and you will miss living so close to them more than you ever thought was possible. Take advantage of all the tea breaks, cuddles and hungover breakfasts – that is the stuff that dreams are made of!

Don’t stress about boys – this paranoia you have that all your friends are prettier than you is just that – paranoia. You really should just tell the one that got away that you like him, seriously. He would tell you that he felt the same, but I know you’re scared. Just enjoy having fun for the time being.

Oh, and remember to write to Grandma (and not only because she always sends you beer money). She won’t be around for ever.

With love,

22 year old Sophie x