To My Other Half...

Dear You,

You requested that I write this because you saw my ill-fated letter writing challenge and wanted a letter of your own. Here goes nothing.

I've written notes to you before so I'll admit, I'm winging it right now because I don't know if there is much more I can say.

Wait, I got it.

Do you remember when I was talking about the future and expressed worry over the possibility of having to relocate. You told me that you'd go with me. You don't know how much of a weight your words had lifted off of my shoulders.

As graduation nears and the reality of having to find a job starts to hit, one of the things that has plagued me as I make my plans is the possibility that an plans I make could affect negatively affect our relationship and ultimately end it. I'm sure there are people that think I am too young to be thinking like that but I can't help my feelings. I see us having a future. Do I know what that future is? Hell no but I see one there and I don't want to jeopardize it.  

I just want you to promise me something. Please follow your dreams, whether they include me or not. I want you to be happy and I don't want you to look back and regret anything. I'll support you. 

I love you with every fiber of my being.

Ashleigh

(P.S. Happy now? lol) 

Crossroads...

Have you ever felt like everything was going your way and then it stopped?

Maybe I'm just getting impatient but I feel like my career isn't moving as fast as I want it to move. When people look at my resume they claim that I am accomplished and I've done so much but I feel like it isn't enough.

I'm lazy. I procrastinate. I need to write more. I know what's wrong with me. I just need the motivation to fix it.

If I play my cards right I'll be a college graduate next year. It's just hard trying to figure out which cards to play.

Day 5: Your Dreams

Dear Dreams,

As I the days go by and my graduation date gets closer, I've realized that it's time for me to start working to get closer to you.

My biggest dream is to be successful and happy.

Successful could mean some big editor in New York or a happy house wife in the country (although that is highly unlikely).

Happy could be just about anything.

Either way, I'm ready to start working so I can get to you and I am shocked that this letter is going to be so short since I'm a chronic daydreamer. Oh well.

Ashleigh Atwell

Day 4: Letter to My Siblings

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.  ~Vietnamese Proverb

There are so many of y'all....and frankly, I just don't feel like writing a letter to only one of y'all.

So...just for housekeeping....

Happy Founders Day to my two eldest sisters.

As for the rest of y'all....stay outta trouble.

I love you all.

Ashleigh

Day 3: Letter to My Parents

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

I have no idea what to write and I'm not in a mushy mood so I'll just...write.

I'm happy...I guess. My grades are decent, my relationship is going well, my extracurriculars are fine too. I just feel like I need to plan out my next move. My mentor helped me realize that grad school probably isn't my best choice right now and frankly, I'm fine with that. I think I'll just try my hand in the field for a year and if it don't work out, to grad school I go. Maybe I'll travel. Who knows. I just hope I have your support in whatever I choose to do. I just want y'all to be proud of me. That's all. Nothing more. My worst fear is disappointing either of you, even if one of you is deceased and the other one is probably in the next room. That's all. And ma, I'm taking that random advice you gave me yesterday, I'm gonna let go some of that control. I want to find my passion. I plan to apply that to every part of my life. I'm sick of choosing not to attempt something because I'm scared I'll get told no. Hell, that's the worse they can do to me. Tell me no. I'm gonna try a different approach. I'm gonna loosen the reins and try. That's the least I can do. I just want your support and I just want you to be proud. That's all. Okay, I'm done.

Love,
Ashleigh

(And yes, I realized I used a bad word.)

Day 2: Letter To My Crush

Dear (former) Crush,

It's me. That tall skinny girl with the wired rimmed glasses. The one that you joke around and played with back in middle school. I was crazy about you. To my 12 year old mind, the sun rose and set with you. I imagined what it would be like for us to walk the halls with each other, hand in hand.

Me as your girlfriend. You as my boyfriend.

You were one of the few guys that were taller than me back then. Your teeth were kinda bucked but that was alright. You made up for it with that personality. That warming buck-toothed smile. My two close friends knew I liked you. One of them remembers that little crush as fondly as I do. One of them even had a song for it. Ah...those were good times.

Then we grew up.

High school happened. Eventually, you out grew me and got muscles. I didn't become some blossoming example of womanhood but I finally took off those wired rimmed glasses and let my hair down. You became an athlete. I joined yearbook. You got your pretty dancer girlfriend. I got my emo nerdy but sweet boyfriend. We were still friendly but the connection wasn't there anymore. You stopped interesting me. I never interested you.

Alls well that ends well. We're adults now. You're still the athlete. I'm still the nerd. Difference is, I actually don't mind being the nerd but that's another post for another day.

Day 1: Letter to My Bestfriend

This is what happens when I'm around this negro...

Hey all! This is the first letter of the 30 Day Challenge. Hope you enjoy!
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Dear Sweet Piz,

Aye guh! You get the first letter.

I've never been one to throw the "best friend" label around willy nilly. The way I see it, it's suppose to be reserved for someone special. Someone awesome. Someone long-term.

I had no idea when I met you wearing that granny robe that I was meeting my sister. I don't see you as often as I would like to but when I do see you, it's like we see each other everyday. Every time I'm around you, we end up going on adventure. A walk to Atlantic Station. Our ill-fated trip to the liquor store and getting left by MARTA buses. Resident Evil park. Girl, we've had some good times together.

We've also brought each other through bad situations. I've seen you take hits with a smile on your face that would have broken other people. You always try to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I admire you. On top of it all, you are always there as a listening ear. I tell you EVERYTHING. And you know I'm not good at expressing my feelings.

 Any man that wants your heart will have to come through me first! I have my cat launcher ready and I know your piranha gun is loaded if midget man steps out of line.

I said all of that sappy shit to say I love yo crazy ass.

Love,

Jack, Pixi Stix, Ratchet Ass Hoe From Zone 6 and every other name you've ever given me.