Dear age ten Stephanie:

Hello.
It's me, your future self. I thought it might be a good idea to write this letter to give you some advice so that you don't end up like me.

First of all, be nicer to Lee-Ann, she's going to be your best friend for the rest of your life. You're going to wear a beige and blue plaid dress to the first day of grade 6 with a matching vest and headband, don't. On the last day of grade 6 don't ride your bike down the hill, infact stay away from bikes for the rest of your life, you'll never be friends. Your ears stick out, embrace it now! If you don't, it's okay, you eventually realize that if they didn't stick out, you wouldn't be you. Oh, and braces are coming, try asking your mom a little earlier though so that you're not stuck with them when your 19. Don't get bangs. You're going to join Sea Cadets when you're 12, and you're going to love it. Skip the glock and base drum, you're going to end up on snare anyways, get a head start. Don't drop out when you're 17. I'm warning you far in advance, grade 9 is going to suck. I would suggest not even going back to school after the surgery. What surgery? Oh it's nothing, really, you just have gall stones, which the doctors will think is a teenager overreating with some acid reflux. Live those 4 months with the pain though, wait for them to figure it out and then have the surgery. It will cost you your entire school year but it's for the best. You are going to make a bunch of new friends but once you're done high school you'll never look back. no regrets there. You're going to fall for, well, think you're falling for your best friend. The first kiss is going to be awkward, go with your gut and walk the other way. This boy will break your heart beyond repair which is going to affect your life in a pretty big, so it's best if you just avoid it all together. Without him, however, you will never get your cat, so go to the SPCA on August 8th, 2005 and pick that weird little kitten in the cage by the front door, you'll know what to name her.Forget about that guy in the military too, he's no good for you. Even though you do graduate a year behind, you're a completely different person because of that extra year. Seussical; don't stand near Jordan, he can't sing, and he gets really loud. Prom; don't change it, you had fun. Write that letter for the paper. Without Zaxc you'll pass chemistry. Don't get in the SUV with Franny, you'll just get in an accident. Actually, avoid Francis. Actually, of all the friends your going to make form the age 10 till 22, Lee-Ann is going to be the one person you stay in contact with. Oh, and Tally. You'll like her.

Realize how much you love your mother earlier. She means a lot, and she means well.
Without those failed relationships you should do a pretty good job at staying away from drugs, but if you somehow find yourself involved with them don't worry. It's a phase and you're still a good person.

For some reason, I still don't even know why, you're going to think that moving to Halifax is the right thing to do. It is. But not now. There's this guy, and you won't realize the potential until after you've moved away, and because your so stubborn, your going to refuse to move back. So don't move! Wait a year, see what happens, at least you know you gave it a chance. Finally, move to Halifax for school. Don't move in with Evan, stay with your sister. Enjoy.