Letters to Them

(The first in a series that I plan on sharing with you, internet. Don't you feel special?)

Dear Owen, Livi, and Remy,

I may not be the brightest crayon in the box, or the sharpest knife in the kitchen, or the...you get my drift. I'm not the smartest, most educated woman you'll ever meet, but I do feel that I have gained a little knowledge and wisdom in my 26 years so far on this earth and as your mother, you shall be forced to listen to what I want to tell you. (at least until you're 18.)

Be weird.

Stop rolling your eyes, Owen Marshall. I mean it. As someone who has spent the majority of her short life trying to be what I thought everyone wanted me to be, I should know. Be weird.

Go against the grain. Don't try to emulate anyone. Be 100% yourself. This may be difficult. Let me rephrase that, this WILL be difficult. It's easy to conform and follow. It's easy to pretend to be someone you're not for the sake of fitting in. But trust me, if you stay true to who you really are, you will be more fulfilled than the most popular, well-liked person out there. It's better to have one true friend who loves you for exactly who you are than to have a hoard of false friends.

I've met quite a few people through the years, and the most interesting, fun, exciting people I've met all have one thing in common. They're weird and they're not afraid to question society's norms.

Just remember, normal is overrated.

Be weird.

Love,
Mom

P.S. - And just in case you were wondering, yes. Weird, just like nerd, runs in your genes. There's no escaping it. You can run but you cannot hide.