I love that Brad Paisley song, “Letter to Me,” where he writes a letter and sends it back in time to his younger self.
I wanted to write one of my own for a blog post, but Sarabeth warned me that that’s been done a lot before.
Turns out she’s right. I try not to be an impersonator.
So I’m going to switch it up a bit. For today’s post, I will still be writing a letter to myself, and I will be going back in time … to retrieve a letter … from myself.
Hey Andrew, it’s Andy. It’s 2001, and I’m seventeen years old. The best age, really. I’m still young enough to be a kid and get into trouble, but not old enough to suffer real consequences for it. Not that I get into too much trouble outside of smearing Vaseline on people’s windshields, throwing poppers at pedestrians out the car, and letting mice loose in a crowded mall… You’re not still doing stuff like that, are you? If you are, just make sure you get it all on camera.
Hey, you’re married by now, right? If not, that’s okay. Just have as much fun while you can. And if you are married, don’t stop having fun because of it … just learn to have fun together.
Do you have kids yet? If not, I hope you get a few dogs. And honestly, you really should start acting like a father before you become one. Load up on those pearls of wisdom and find your security in God. Your kids are going to need that from you.
Sorry for all the bad habits I’ve picked up. You have a lot to overcome because of my bad choices. Sorry. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get there.
Yesterday I determined that I wouldn’t be just another face in the crowd, that I would be somebody who does something great – do you remember that? Have you decided what greatness is yet? You’re not just another face in the crowd, are you? ARE YOU?
You still keep in contact with Kyle, right? Just remeber, he’s the one guy that’s ALWAYS got your back. No matter what. You probably still have a tendency to be antisocial, so just be sure to call him every now and then. Who knows? You and your wife might need him to babysit. 
I hope you look at pictures of me and laugh at how funny looking I am. I think I’m hot stuff now, but I hope this isn’t my peak. Don’t you see how good Mel Gibson looks? And he’s like fifty! I hope you’re well on your way to looking like him.
You know all those dreams I have about being a great movie maker, and being the next Steven Spielberg? I hope you gave that up to achieve more attainable goals. Obviously don’t pass up the opportunity if it comes your way, but don’t give up everything for the small chance of it happening. Besides, I’m sure by the time you read this, Steven Spielberg will still be the “next” Steven Spielberg.
I hope you’re taking good care of yourself. At this point in life, I think I’m invinsible. I’d like that feeling to last.
I hope you’re better at questioning things and standing up for yourself than I am.
Keep laughing. Keep smiling. Tell stories. Sorry, that was cheesy. I tend to be a little cliche. Hope that’s worn off by now.
Oh, and I hope you don’t still draw eyeballs on your eyelids. I think it freaks people out.
Don’t grow up to be a grouch. I know I have the tendency to pout when I don’t get my way. Just roll with the punches, and stop tuning out so much. Be engaged, even if you’re not interested in what’s going on.
This is hard for me to say. I don’t believe it quite yet, but deep down I know it’s true: The world doesn’t revolve around me. Weird, huh? I bet it’s still true for you.
Go to baseball games.
I hear people around your age get real worried about money. I’ll do my best to start saving now, to help you out. But seriously, don’t be afraid to spend a little, especially on your wife, if you have one. (For some reasons, lots of people think it’ll be a while before I get married.)
Is that Pixar movie studio still around, or is it just called Disney now? The one with the monsters hiding in the closet looks pretty good. I’ll have to check it out this fall. Wonder if there’ll be a sequel in a couple of years.
Keep writing. I’m sure something will come of it.
Encourage others.
Well, Fresh Prince is about to start. Smell ya later.
Life Through the Big Screen 