Dear Melissa,
You have come so far this past year. 2010 was YOUR year. You finally realized that exercise and healthy eating DO pay off if you are consistent and stick with it. After all those years of constantly stressing over and battling your weight, you lost 50+ pounds and are looking damn fine. Just take it one day at a time, girl.
You took huge leaps in fitness. Can you believe that you helped organize a team of fantastic people from all over the country who raised over $50,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and you finished the San Diego Rock n’ Roll 1/2 marathon under your personal goal of 3 hours? You finally got over your fears at the gym and started taking the fitness classes you have always longed to participate in. You continued to push yourself and found that you actually enjoy seeing what your body is capable of.
You made changes in your daily eating habits, small at first, but these small changes produce bigger rewards. You are are consuming foods that are more organic, more healthy, and I am so proud of you for cooking more. You are eating healthier, and therefore, so are your children.
You accepted that you are truly a blonde at heart and got rid of your dark, moody hair.
Your love of adventure shined through during 2010. You traveled to both sides of the country and many more places in between. You were finally able to meet some of the people who have become your close friends in the years past and were excited to bring even more new friends into your life. You visited old friends that have always had a special place in your heart and wondered why it took you so long to see each other and vowed to reconnect more often.
You celebrated 10 years of marriage with your kick-ass husband. While that decade had it’s share of ups and downs, you and Justin decided to make each other priorities in your lives again. It’s so awesome to see you laugh with each other again, rather than fighting. That anniversary trip you took to New Zealand (or Italy, Norway, or the other million places you long to visit) was the most wonderful trip EVER. It was just what you both needed to relax, refresh, and refocus.
So many doors have opened for you this past year. Who would have ever thought? Writing, traveling, and raising awareness on issues that you believe in have started to play such an important role in your life. You continued to pursue your love of photography and improved your skills so much. You pretty much rock.
The world is yours. I am so glad you are finally starting to realize it.
Much love and happiness,
Melissa
P.S. Can you believe you and the family finally made the move? It was a lot of work, but you are all so happy and it was totally worth it.
This letter was part of the Rethink Your Shrink challenge at The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.
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