This post was originally published on Her View From Home.

Sweet girl, your high school graduation is quickly approaching. What a big day! You may think this night will be the culmination of your life—and that it will be. The culmination so far.

High school is glorious and wonderous in its own ways. I’m sure you’ve learned about your strengths and weaknesses, found security in your routine, and feel peace inside the bubble of your family and friends. There were first dates, first kisses, proms, state championships, and a ridiculous amount of fun, pain, and chaos in between.

But, your life is just beginning.

Some of the people you walk across that stage with will be by your side for the rest of your life, but the majority of them won’t be. The embarrassing parts of your growing up that have been burned in your brain will eventually be forgotten. The stupid choices and mistakes you can’t seem to leave behind will still follow you, and you’ll probably make more of the same, but you will learn.

I know it feels like life can’t get any better than it is right now, but it can. And it will. High school will not be the best days of your life.

One day you will walk down the aisle to the person that you know God handcrafted to fill all the empty and broken spots inside of you.

You are going to find a job you love with a boss that pushes all your buttons. You’re going to find a dead-end job that makes you bored but has the best boss in the world. You are going to switch career paths more than you will care to admit, but that means you’re growing.

You are going to question yourself, probably daily, but I think that’s a good thing.

You’ll meet people you can’t stand, but then years down the road, you find yourself emulating some of their admirable qualities. You’ll find people you swear will be in your life forever only to be done wrong by them, but you’ll be alright. You’re tough.

One day, if it’s your heart’s desire, you will find a newborn baby fresh from heaven laid on your chest. You’ll be crying tears that are a mixture of relief, fear, and joy. You’ll cry these same tears for the rest of your life due to that tiny human, so prepare yourself.

You are going to do big things. Scary things. You will mess up. You will learn how to do better. There will be good and bad. You are about to step forward into the world of more freedom and it’s up to you to figure out what to do with it.

I know it feels like your life is reaching its peak right now, but there is more to come. So. Much More. 

High school will always be coins in your memory bank, but from here on out you will be adding in dollar bills.

Don’t be afraid of the unknown, leap into it with open arms.

Sweet girl, you deserve the world. Don’t let anything hold you back. The best is yet to come.

Life is just beginning.