Day 28: Someone that changed your life

These last few letters have been pretty hard to write, it's taken some serious soul searching, but this one is pretty easy for me.

Dearest Katie Clifford-

I hope that when you were religiously reading my blog and saw on the 28th day I would be writing to someone that changed my life that you knew this letter would be to you.

I've written so many times on this blog about how grateful I am to have had you as my intern supervisor in the Summer of 2010.  At that point I was in law school with one year left and totally unsure of what I wanted to do after I graduated.  I knew that I loved the Olympic Movement and fell more in love with it that summer.  Not only were you an amazing supervisor, giving me projects and trusting me to complete them, you were great at listening to the drama that seemed to pop up daily within the intern group.  Some of my favorite moments were coming into your cube, sitting on your filing cabinet chair and dishing up the gossip.

You changed my life by letting me know that I can go for the things I want even if it is unexpected with the education that I have.  That it is ok if I have a law degree and don't practice law.  You also taught me, and sometimes forced it down my throat, that I deserve better than a guy who will love me and leave me.  That I didn't have to accept the tiny bit of affection that someone at the time was giving me, that I deserved more.

I am grateful that you are my life coach/mentor!  I miss you!

Love-

Your all time favorite Intern

Day 16: Someone that is not in your state/country

Today's letter was pretty difficult for me to write to one person, since I move so much most people aren't in the same state as I am currently.  So I decided to write to someone I WISH was in the same state.

Chels-

We haven't talked in a few weeks and I feel lost!  I never expected to meet such a good friend living in the dorms at the USOC OTC in Colorado Springs.  I had terrible roommate experiences before you, and I haven't had that many roommates after you (only Jens for a few months), so basically you turned around my whole perspective on roommates.

You understand me in a way no other friend in my life has.  We can talk for hours and know exactly where the other person is coming from.  I miss our chats in "the mansh" with the lights off when we should have been sleeping in our awesome twin beds.  I am glad that we decided to go out that night when we had already decided to stay in.  You push me in ways that I need to be pushed.  When I am ready to give up on something that I really want, you remind em of the end goal and how important it is to me.  You were there with me when I finished my first half marathon this year in Nashville, like a stud you did the full 26.2.  I am excited for our race this year, where ever we decide is cheapest ;)  I am grateful that when we saw each other in Nashville in April it was like we hadn't been apart for one day but we hadn't seen each other in 18 months.  That's what real friendships are about, and I am glad to have that in my life.

Love you rooms-
Hales

Day 14: Someone you've drifted away from

Cassie-

We both know why this happened, we let silly boys get between an amazing friendship.  I am glad that after some time we're becoming friends again.  I have been terrible about keeping plans when we make them and I am so sorry for that!  I am going to try harder in 2013 to be a better friend.  You've been a better friend to me in the last few months than I have been to you.

Thanks for always being there!

Love

Hay

Day 12: The person that has caused you the most pain

In all fairness, I am sure that you don't know that you caused me this much pain.  I will take partial responsibility for coming back time after time when you clearly were telling me with your actions and sometimes your words that we were not on the same page.

All that being said, you were the first, and thus far the only person that I have cried myself to sleep over.  You are one of the people that has brought the most happiness in my life, you've boosted my self esteem.  Those were the good times.  In the bad times I have never felt worse about myself.  I gave everything to you, I gave you my heart and opened up to you in a way I hadn't previously.  While I was doing that you were keeping yourself closed off to me.  Now I know that is how you are with everyone, you're very very shy and private.  I should have realized at that point that something was off.

I know that it's not your fault that I placed so much of my self worth in our relationship, but I did.  I am grateful that I have finally grown up and come to my senses about the person that you are and the place you belong in my life.  Now that I have come to terms with that, I still have a little twinge when I see you a moment of wondering what might have been.  But I also know that your place in my life is as my friend, in the loosest sense of the word.  Like all of my friends, I care about your success and I hope the best for you.  As you work towards your dreams I will always support you.

Merry Christmas

Day 11: a deceased person you wish you could talk to

Nanny-

Tonight I watched an episode of Parenthood where one of the moms in the show got really sick from her chemotherapy treatments.  She got an infection and is in the hospital on Christmas Eve and it made me miss you terribly.  Not because any of this happened in our lives, but because anything that involves losing someone too soon reminds me of you.  I miss you every single day of my life.   I keep a picture of you and Gran Gran in my living room on your wedding day, it's one of my favorites and I look at it every day.

I wish that you could be here to see how well your grandchildren are growing up.  I know that you are watching over us and I am sure you are very happy up there in heaven, but like I've already said, we miss you.  I hope you are taking good care of Granddaddy Southern up there, I am sure he was happy to see you.

Always trying to make you proud, love you so much

Your eldest grandchild

Haley Elizabeth

Day 10: Someone you don't talk to as much as you'd like

Emily-

I miss you like crazy!   I am not sure that anyone would have predicted that we would be such good friends.  We've been super busy in the last 6 months and I will blame that on why we haven't had a phone or a Skype date {let's schedule one of those soon?!}.  It's sorta weird that I don't know what's going on in your life and until I sat down to write this letter, and that make me kinda sad.  You were always there when I needed to talk to someone or was in the middle of a stress induced breakdown.  I am glad that I know when we talk sometime in the near future that it won't take long for us to catch up on everything.  It will be as if we never missed a beat, because we're the best of friends.

I hope that everything is going well in your life.  

Love you and miss you!

~Haley

Day 9: Someone you wish you could meet

I love the show The Biggest Loser.  Watching people transform their lives is beyond cool.  My all time favorite season is Season 11.

I think this was the last season where the people were in it to really get healthy and change their lives.  In more recent seasons, particularly season 13 the people were clearly in the it to win the game and not for the correct purpose.  My favorite two contestants from this season were Hannah and Olivia.  For some reason I connected with them and really saw myself in their journey.  Here are their before/after shots:

Hannah

Olivia

Did I mention that Olivia ended up winning the show and Hannah got second place?  Which all goes to prove that if you are in something for the right reasons, you get rewarded!  Hannah and Olivia blog here, and they are totally inspirational if you need some today (or any day).

Hannah and Olivia-

You guys!  First I have to tell you how amazingly inspirational!  I watched your season when it aired and since then I have watched the entire thing twice on Netflix.  Whenever I need a bit of motivation to continue on my weight loss journey I look to the two of you and you never disappoint.  You both have done such an amazing job of staying fit and making sure you stay positive for everyone.  I love you guys and I think that we are all lucky that you were picked for the show and decided to change your lives.  

Thanks for being amaze balls!

Love ya

Day 8: Your Favorite Internet Friend

Alli-

Ours is not strictly an internet friendship, we met in college but since then haven't been in the same place, so its most;y an internet friendship now.  We don't talk as much as we used to because unlike last year we have jobs that keep us busy now.  Our chats kept me sane through law school and in my year in Lake Placid.  You always know the thing to say to get me back to reality.  I like that we can be honest with each other and just say what we are thinking about a particular situation.  We think differently, so its great to hear a perspective that is opposite of mine in situations where I can only see my side.  I am glad that we were able to stay in touch after college and I am excited that you are taking a ski trip out here this year (I just hope we get some snow for you).  I hope things are going well in your new job (we haven't talked in weeks!) and I can't wait to see you soon!

Have a great Christmas!

~Hales

Day 7: Your Ex

I'd like to address this letter to all of my exes, to protect their identities...

Hey Guys!

This could go one of two ways, I could either totally bash you for how terrible you were to me or we could go over all the things that I learned from you.  I think that a little bit of both is appropriate.

Let's start with the terrible, shall we?

I am the type of person that falls hard, and I am also the kind of person who cares about other people sometimes more than myself.  This combo creates a situation that can be easily taken advantage of by less than stellar men.  A few of you have completely taken advantage of that, and some of you did so unknowingly.  This combination makes for an incredible heartbreak.  Unfortunately, I am also that girl that when she has a few too many glasses of wine thinks its a good idea to send you a text and see what you're doing.  That is never ever a good idea, sorry about that I am sure its super annoying.  I think that the worst part is when some of you come back into my lives randomly, it was worse when I wasn't completely over some of you but it still stings.  Just like every girl, I imagine, I have had several tear filled nights over some of you.

Alright, enough of the bad on to the good.  You all have taught me so much about who I am and what I want.  In the middle of these relationships my self esteem was so tied to you that the second something went wrong I went into a downward spiral.  Since then I have learned more about my self worth and that sometimes it is ok that I am selfish and taking time for myself is not selfish it's necessary.  I also learned what kind of guy I want in the future.  Not to say that it is someone that is opposite of all you guys, its actually small parts of you all put together.  I am grateful for that, because I try to always take something away from a failed situation, it makes you a better person.

Thanks for being in my life and teaching me something.  I hope you all are happy in your current situations.

~Haley

Day 6: A Stranger

Initially I had a hard time thinking of how you write a letter to a stranger because I guess I do not interact with that many strangers.  The idea for this person came to me when I was brushing my teeth last night...

Dear Lady walking up the stairs at the Maverick Center during the Eric Church Concert between Justin Moore and Eric Church on November 17th, 2012--

I am sure that you thought your comment about my outfit was well meaning and appropriate, but it was neither.  Since you do not know me, it was extremely inappropriate for you to say to me as you walked by that I needed a longer skirt.  First, its none of your business.  Second, I am not sure if you were looking around but there were countless other people that you could have said something too about the inappropriateness of their outfits.  I followed the golden rule, if you are showing skin on your legs then you don't show skin on top.  Also my skirt was not too short, it was completely appropriate not only for a concert on a Saturday night but I actually wore that dress to work and it was 100% appropriate.  Third, if you feel like you need to say something like the comment you said to me, maybe think twice before actually voicing it.  You have no idea what I go through every time I pick out something to wear.  I try on 5 or 6 different things, trying to decide whether or not it looks appropriate, that is what you do when you are supremely self conscious about how you look.  I waited for that concert for 3 months and it was amazing, but your comment in that moment almost ruined the whole thing for me.  You seriously rude and inconsiderate comment made this, strong on the outside girl breakdown.  You made me cry, in the middle of one of the best nights of my life.  Luckily, Eric Church was so amazing that I mostly forgot about your comment, but I wanted to write you this letter and put it out into the universe since I didn't get the chance to tell you this in person, you suck.

Thank you for your time-
The appropriate dress wearing girl in section 111, seat 14 at the Maverick Center for the Eric Church Concert.

Day 5: Your Dreams

Dreams-

There are so many of you that I am not even sure where to start.  First, for me, dreams and goals are the same thing and in order to be successful you should set small goals that lead to a bigger goal.  The small goals are hard but achievable when the larger goal seems impossible.

The first one of you, dreams, is to go to the Olympic Games in an official capacity.  So far, I have achieved several small goals running up to you but sometimes I feel like I have taken a step away because I wanted to move home at any cost.  But I think that I am starting to understand why this step was important.  The news came out this week, that Salt Lake City would attempt to host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.  This is my ultimate dream job.  To work on a games from beginning to end, extremely hard work but extremely invaluable experience.  Similarly, this opportunity would allow for me to stay in one place and have some time for your other friend dreams, of having a family and a home town for them, to come true.

For now I'll just keep working on smaller goals to achieve you, just stay out there for me and I'll get there!

Love you dreams-
Your creator

Day 4: Your Siblings

Josh-

We haven't always been BFFs, but I think that now that we are grown ups and working on our lives I think that we have a better relationship.  Other than that one time you told your GF that I was sort of a bitch, I think that we get along for the most part.  I want you to know that any girl that I was less than friendly with before was because they were not good enough for you.  From what I've seen, I highly approve of Allison.

I am glad that you have found your passion.  It makes me extremely happy to see you succeeding and being fulfilled.  There was a time when I wasn't sure if we were all going to make it out.  When you were in the thick of your recovery and mom and dad were across the country I wasn't sure I had the strength to help you.  It made me a stronger person and I am grateful that we both made it.

I can't wait to see what's in store for you once you graduate and start your career.  I am so proud to be your sister.

I love you-
Your favorite sister


Rob-

You kill me with your one liners, you don't talk very much but when you do you're pretty dang funny.  I am sad to say that I missed most of your formidable years, you were in 7th grade when I left for college and I wasn't home much after that.  It makes me a little sad that I missed that part of your life.  You're extremely talented and I can't wait for the world to see that.  Hopefully soon you'll realize that to succeed in this world you're going to have to talk to people, in person, not just on the Internet.

I'm gonna get real here for a sec, I really wish you would quit smoking.  It is so terrible for you and it worries me that your life will be cut short because of the choices you are making now at 22.  Please please quit!  It would also be great for you if you partook of the plentiful Florida sun once in a while, when you're not working your butt off at school.  I only say these things because I love you!

I can't wait to tell people, "my little brother designed the stuff in that video game"! I am so glad that you found something that you are good at and that you love.

I love you-
Your favorite sister

Day 3: Your Parents

Mom-
Thanks for birthing me!  For keeping me in your uterus a full two weeks after my due date and making it to the hospital in a North Mississippi snowstorm.  I guess that with an entrance to the world on a snowy day in Mississippi, I was meant to live and work in a winter sport environment.

I am grateful for your unwavering support, even when you don't understand why I am choosing to follow the path I am on.  You are a fantastic example of strength through everything we have taken on as a family.  Never giving up in the face of adversity, I am proud to have such a strong example of what a mother and wife should be.

Thanks for always making sure I have everything that I need to succeed, even now that I'm a "grown up".  I am the person I am today because of what you and Dad have provided for me.  I know there is no way I can ever repay you for everything that you have given to me and I hope I can make you proud.

Love,
Your first born


Dad-
I like to make fun of you by thanking you for every weird thing I possess: bad knees and long monkey toes to name a few.  However, I do think that the number of non-werid things I got from you far exceeds the weirdness.  From you I get my drive to do and be better, even if that requires moving once a year.  I got my conservative political view point and my argumentative nature (although the latter is a combo of you and mom, which makes me SUPER argumentative).  You also gave me you love for mountain towns, and I am glad that you can come visit me in your favorite of those mountain towns.

You are a fantastic example of what happens when you go after what you want and work hard to achieve success.  You've always wanted to live overseas and you never thought a kid from North East Mississippi would get that chance.  Not only did you get that chance, you've lived in Scotland for 2.5  years and you got to experience that adventure with mom.  I am grateful that I was able to fly over for Thanksgiving and experience it too.

I am grateful for the example that you have set for me on what a husband and father should be.  Every man in my life is compared to you and those that come close can have a place, those that don't can leave.  Thanks for supporting me unconditionally, I love you daddy.

Love,
Your favorite Daughter

Day 2: Your Crush

Dear you-

Where to begin?  Obviously since I haven't used your name, I am not ready to reveal your true identity. I think you're pretty great.  Unavailable due to your commitment to your current pursuits, but great nonetheless.  While your current pursuits make you unavailable, the level of commitment and drive that you have towards these pursuits show to me that when your ready to commit to a relationship, that's going to be one lucky lady.

Most people notice you because you are strikingly handsome, and I'm not going to argue with that but it's not my favorite thing about you.  My favorite thing about you is your honesty and intelligence.  You're not afraid to tell someone how it is, in the nicest way possible.  The fact that you love to read and learn is so attractive and increasingly scarce in the world we live in.  You are remarkably kind and supportive to those around you and in an increasingly competitive work environment that support for those who are your competition is rare.  You're a family man and respect is important to you.  Two qualities that make you even more attractive.

That's all, for now.

~Haley

Day 1: Your Best Friend

This one is hard for me because I am the type of person who has a few really good friends, so I am going to write multiple letters for this one.

Dear WP-
{Frequent readers of my blog will already know about this group.  If you aren't a frequent reader see here, here, and here}  I am constantly amazed at how great friendships can evolve even when you don't see the other people.  You ladies are such a source of strength for me.  We are all driven and ambitious women yet that has never gotten in the way of our friendship.  We're able to have fun in any situation and we always have each others back.  I love that we have Facebook group messages and attempt for months to arrange get togethers (that really needs to happen soon people).  I am grateful for you all and the roles that you play in my life.  Thank you for always being around when I need you and for knowing exactly what to say.  I love you guys!
Love, Hales


Dear Fab Five-
{Again I post about these ladies a lot, here's the most comprehensive post}
You ladies are probably my longest friendships, we're going on 10+ years and we still hang out!  I am so happy that we've kept in touch through going away for college/jobs and somehow always coming back together.  I am grateful that I will get to be a part of your children's lives and I cannot wait to be Aunt Haley, three times in the next 6 months!  Those babies are going to be the luckiest kids ever to have you as moms.  We're also getting a new husband in our group in the form of Dylan, an excellent addition to the Fab Five Husband Gang.  I'm excited for us to get to skate together again, lets get working on that asap once those babies are born, and Meg-move back please!  I would have to say that our group messages are some of the funniest moments of my life, and they definitely got me through some of the sad days of being alone in Upstate New York.  We've been through a lot together and I am sure there are many many more years to come, I can't wait for the pictures of us as old ladies.  I love you ladies and I am the luckiest girl to have you in my life.
LOVE YOU!


SBP-
You are my oldest friend and I am so glad that we have maintained our friendship through all these years.  From playing in your parents or my grandparents house to attending your wedding almost 2 years ago, we've come a long way!  I hope that we are able to get together more as we become more "grown ups" even though we are a country apart.  I also hope I get to know Jonathan.  You are so talented {aside for blog readers, check her out here} and I can't wait to have more significant life events so that you can design my invites and announcements!  I'm grateful that we have the internet to further connect us across the miles and for all the memories we have from our adorable childhood.  See you soon friend!
-HES


Chult-
Despite the fact that in high school you told me I was trying to hard to be your friend, in a note, I'm including you in this post.  We've quickly become BFF since I randomly FB messaged you asking WTF was happening with your job at USSA.  We've come a long way since HS, maybe not geographically since we work about 10 minutes from our HS, but I think that we are smarter and def funnier.  Love our daily CBs and mailroom runs, frequent trips to aWokAway and my first trip to Copper.  I am grateful for someone at work who I can ask dumb questions to and even though you will probably make fun of me, I still get an answer.  I also look forward to the education on cinema I will receive through this friendship, I think we have like 10 straight days of movies that I have to watch.  Also today is your bday!   HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
-Haley

I could write so many more, but there are more days to come where people fit!  So I will limit this now so I don't duplicate letters, plus I've gotta keep you coming back.

30 Days of Letters

Lately, nearly every idea that I tell someone about starts with "I saw this on Pinterest", this post is no different.

This idea was for 30 days of 30 letters to different people and in the spirit of the end of the year and starting fresh for 2013, I thought this would be a good series to do in December.  Sometimes it just feels good to get things off your chest, not in a mean way, just something maybe you've been holding on to that is unconsciously holding you back.  Blogging/writing letters feels like a good way to be honest and just put your feelings out in the world that feels anonymous, even though we all know that's not true...

Here's the list if you're interested in trying yourself!

• Day 1 — Your Best Friend
• Day 2 — Your Crush
• Day 3 — Your parents
• Day 4 —Your sibling (or closest relative)
• Day 5 — Your dreams
• Day 6 — A stranger
• Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush
• Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend
• Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet
• Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to
• Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to
• Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain
• Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you
• Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from
• Day 15 — The person you miss the most
• Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country
• Day 17 — Someone from your childhood
• Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be
• Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad
• Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest
• Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression
• Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to
• Day 23 — The last person you kissed
• Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory
• Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times
• Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to
• Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day
• Day 28 — Someone that changed your life
• Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to
• Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror