Dear Self.

*sometimes you dont need others to check you, you need to check you. If you could look at yourself from the outside looking in and talk to yourself, what would you say?

Dear Harlem,

This is yourself. The still loud, tall, demanding self. Hopefully the day you decide to look back on this you have grown into someone more amazing, more beautiful and more talented. But I feel its a must to remind you of a few things.

Right now youre not in medical school. THAT IS OK. You have worked damn hard to get where you are. You have made to almost 24 with no children, a biology degree, youve provided for yourself on a level that more people at your age have never even thought about . So medical school will happen. Stop letting others remind you where you arent. And remember where you are. Also, when you do go to medical school you are going to rock that place. Dont worry.

I have to tell you though...youre a little too in love with being in love. Slow down. The one person you thought would never change your world has. And you will love to hate them for it. They would put you through hell and high waters but its love. Its ok to want a love so deep that it makes your heart swell, so deep that the very idea is breath taking. Its ok to want a love that looks at you and realizes that their entire world wouldnt even hold together if you werent in it. To want a love that looks at you and doesnt seen black and white but 20 million awesome shades of grey. Its ok. Just be patient.

Love yourself. Continue to love yourself. The people are watching. They are following and they are watching.

Love,
Harlem.