Dear Future Edie,

Hello, from the past!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now don’t freak out – it is me! Or should I say you 17 years ago if I’ve got my maths right. In case you can’t remember, I’m writing this from the reception desk at Hartland’s Holiday Park. It’s so quiet in here today as there are free cocktails by the pool and, unsurprisingly, no one is popping in with their usual questions or complaints.

But I’m not writing to you just because I’m bored; I’m doing it because today is a momentous occasion. It’s my 18th, whoop! Which of course means it’s your birthday too – Happy Birthday – God, you’re so old now ;). Mum’s already had a giant cupcake-shaped cake delivered. Will I ever be old enough for her not to go over the top with the birthday celebrations?

Tonight, I’m heading out with the gang to a pub in Westerly for my first legal drink! I can’t wait to shove my ID right in the bouncer’s face now that I’ll no longer be trembling in fear that they’re going to let everyone else in but me.

All morning, Soph, Douglas, and Joel have been discussing how I should properly mark turning 18. Douglas thought I should get a tattoo, but Soph mentioned something about writing a letter about goals and it reminded me of a website Mr Cross had told us about in an English lesson once, where you could email yourself in the future. So here I am! And if you’re reading this then it’s worked!

I probably should have picked a landmark age to send this to, like 30 or 40, but I’m excited that, as of today, I’ll be ticking that 18-34 box on forms, which means you’ll be eligible for the 35 and over box, and we all know that’s who the real grown-ups are!

What’s it like to be a proper adult and to finally have this whole life thing sussed? I hope that you’re living life to the fullest. Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you if you haven’t been bungee jumping or skydiving – yawn. I hope instead that you’ve embraced every second of life, and you’ve done lots that has both scared you and made you smile :)

Let’s hope you’ve figured out your life plan and that Mum and Dad haven’t sucked you into ‘the firm’ (said in my best mobster-impression voice). I bet you’re changing the world, aren’t you? That you became a barrister or something, fighting for injustice. I hope you’re generally kicking arse (ass?) and that Mum and Dad have finally forgiven you for not taking Business Studies at university!

Obviously, you’ll have found the secret to having a super ethical job that sticks a middle finger up to the man yet still pays mega bucks, and then you’ll be able to afford more than the value noodles that I’ve been living off since arriving at Hartland’s, and maybe your drink of choice will be more sophisticated than a Blue WKD.

Now, obviously you’ll be married to Scott; I know that he is most definitely the one. But, in case you’re not, I can hardly bring myself to type that, is your husband really fit? Did you have a big wedding? I’m guessing you’ve got kids? One? Two? Three? FOUR? Mum was teasing the other day saying she wanted lots of grandkids.

It must be so weird to have lived through all this and have grown up the other side. I envy you so much. You’ll have your shit all sorted. I’m sure you’ll probably look back on this time with fond memories. The summer you escaped from the parents. Plus, in a few months you’ll be (grades willing) at the University of Leicester. Don’t people say that university years are the best of your life? How depressing will that be to graduate and think that my best years are behind me.

Although, I seriously think that this job might be the best time of my life. I’ve made such good friends and it just never stops. There’s always something going on – and the work isn’t that bad.

Now, Mr Cross said that we should include a note to self – an inspirational message from the past to give you a kick up the old bottom. So here goes. Do something you wouldn’t usually do. From what I know of adults, they always live within their comfort zones, like they’ve forgotten that real living happens when you step outside of it. Remember, your comfort zone does not have a brick wall built around it.

Much love,

A lot younger you x x