A letter to my younger self at high school graduation

So, I hit the big 35 today. I've been musing about age, time, and life this week, but not in a mournful, grievous way. I love my life--my confidence, my vision, my family. I wish my college self had known how to be this happy. I wish I could have told myself these things as I headed off to college 17 years ago.
1. I'd rather be strong than skinny. Don't fall for the world's idea about how women should look. Eat healthfully and exercise regularly. The number on the scale is just a number. Be happy with your strength and your curves.
2. I'd rather risk failure than not try at all. You never know what you'll miss if you don't just go for it sometimes.
3. A good marriage requires from both parties time, effort, and forgiveness, but not necessarily riches. But a good marriage is worth it.
4. Raising children teaches you true sacrifice and requires depth of patience you've never known before. But you'll experience a depth of love you never thought possible.
5. On that note, all birth control methods are not equal. Educate yourself.
6. There's no need to rush through life. Slow down. Enjoy the journey. The destination isn't going anywhere.
7. If you love someone, tell them often. Show them even more often.
8. Be encouraging. The world has enough critics and cynics.
9. Leggings are not pants.
10. Sometimes you must choose the happiness of those you love over your own happiness. The pain may be great, but the reward is greater.
11. Never take your family or friends for granted. Always be grateful for the little things.
12. Let the law of love rule your heart. Adherence to a strict set of rules alone may win you the Citizen of the Year award, but not Child of the One, True King.
13. Dare to be scandalous in the eyes of the world if that's what God has called you to. Jesus ate with sinners, after all. And women. (Gasp.)
14. When you get married, don't expect your spouse to change for you. But don't expect him to remain the same for the next 50 years, either. Commit to love him, regardless.
15. Make memories that will always make you smile.
16. Learn to be comfortable enough with yourself to laugh at yourself, but don't laugh at those who haven't arrive at that beautiful confidence yet.
17. Avoid company that drag you down. You only have so much time in life: spend it with people who make you the best version of yourself.
18. Learn to avoid emotional manipulation. Do what you know is right regardless of how you are made to feel.
19. Don't get drunk.It impairs your judgment and makes you act like an idiot. That may be okay for others, but it's not for you.
20. Education enhances life. Don't take it lightly. But learn to appreciate the uneducated as God's beloved as well. Don't ever stop learning.
21. Don't procrastinate yourself to death. A small drip will become an overwhelming flood if ignored.
22. As you amass wealth, the world will try to plunder you. Be wise in spending, but don't let it consume you.
23. Everyone has the same amount of time each day. Choose your activities wisely to accomplish your end goal.
24. It's okay to have fun every now and then.
25. Leggings are not pants. (Did I repeat myself? Apologies. It's that important!)
26. There will be times when you feel so overwhelmed in life that you need a soul vacation. Don't feel guilty about it--these times of quiet reflection in solitude will revitalize your spirit and rejuvenate your fervor of faith.
27. Your life does not have to look like everyone else's life to be right. You are forging your own path, and it will be narrow, rocky, and full of brambles. But the adventure will be glorious.
28. Don't let technology suck your life away. It has its place of usefulness to enhance your life, but don't neglect actually living.
29. Bacon makes everything better. So does chocolate. So does wine. But never mix the three.
30. Beauty fades. Find someone who makes you laugh to satisfy you all your days.
31. You cannot please everyone. So please stop trying.
32. People are always eager to judge and criticize you. Walk away, plug your ears, learn to ignore it... unless it's coming from someone you deeply love. Or if it's true. Then, if it bothers you, just change.

Maybe I should save this and remind myself in another 15 years. With age comes wisdom, and I'm thrilled to enjoy some of it, finally. Happy birthday to me!