My sophomore year was probably the hardest year for you. At the time, I thought my life was just awful, I was depressed and didn't know what I was doing. Of course, looking back now, I realize I was young and stupid... I had a great life, and things weren't as bad as they appeared to be. I don't know what started me feeling sad, but I remember friendships in my life were changing, and I felt like things were going all wrong. Needles to say, I wound up falling into a group in school that weren't the best people to hanging out with. I started pulling away from my faith, and started to control my surrounds by not eating. I look back now, and realize that I was never really anorexic, but I was more trying to get attention. My pastor at the church ended up talking to me, praying with me, and meeting my parents to talk about what they could do to help me get though this tough time. I went to see a counselor and a nutritionist. Through talking with them, getting back involved with the youth a church, getting back into a good group of friends. Many friends reached out to me at that time as well, which was a blessing to me. If you are reading this, you know who you are... and Thankyou! I started getting my life back on track.
And when I mean back on track, I mean right with God. I read my bible every day, spent time in prayer, helped lean a bible study at school, and got so involved with the kids from church. I had never felt as close to Christ as I did at that. I look back and remember how happy I was, and I realize at this moment, I don't think I'm in that spot anymore. I need to start readying and praying daily again, for when I am in the WORD, I am most happiest, I trust God with all my heart, and I don't stress about things. Anyways....
The years went on in high school. Nothing else eventful. I went to dances (good story.... Junior year, I asked Nathan to go to turn-a-bout with me. If you ask him, I was crying(???) when I asked him,.. so he felt bad and said yes.... I don't remember it that way. Well a few days later he informed me that he decided not to go. He broke my heart. :) funny memory), I performed in Wizard of Oz my junior year, did 2 years of tennis, did 2 3-Act plays, performed in 2 summer musicals (crazy... my mother-in-law was the director, to this day I don't know why she put me in them... I'm not the best singing in the world). But my best memory is the time I spent with friends.
Marissa and Jesse were my closest friends in high school. Us three were together all the time. We laughed, we watched movies, hung out, but most importantly, we prayed together. Our group as a whole in high school was a good group. No one did drugs, smoked, or anything. We all respected our parents and did what they said. Without that group, I don't know what my life would be like today. Sadly, only a few of us are really in touch still. But I always hold them all in my heart.
Senior years was great. I was so excited to get out of school. At the time, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. My friend talked about becoming a nurse, and I thought that might be good. My mom always said I'd make a great nurse. I looked at some colleges and narrowed it down to UW Oshkosh (more of college life to come) Below is my senior pic
But before graduation, I was on the computer one night chatting with Nathan. All of a sudden he typed.. "I have to tell you something".. I said "What?" He then informed me that he liked me. So what did I do.. I told, 'that's nice, but I don't feel the same way!". But I had lied to him. I did feel that way, but I wasn't ready to admit it. I remember talking to Jesse a few days later about it and saying, I'm so stupid for not telling him. Nathan said he remembers feeling really embarrassed about it. Needles to say, I then told I did like him, but we didn't start to date right away. We wanted to wait and see how things turned out, since he was moving to St Paul in a few weeks for school.
Graduation day was great!!! I was so happy to finally be done and free of school. I remember sitting there waiting to go in thinking, "Wow, I did it! All those years I sat in class, thinking of this day, and it's finally here!" I was so excited, and so proud of myself. My mom cired, which meant a lot to me. They threw me a HUGE party the day before graduation, where most of my family came into town for. That meant a lot to me as well.
To be continued....
