"Stick by your mom, even if she's really OLD! HA :)"
"When asking guys to do a chore or help out — Be specific — what, where, when etc... That way you'll expect it to be done and you won't feel compelled to step in and do it yourself."
"Remember to stay quiet when you're grumpy. Dad and I are always here to listen to you. Have a sense of humor about stuff going on."
"Be open to different opinions — absorb what someone else is saying — then debate it. You never know, you might be able to learn from someone else."
"Do your best and buzz in at Quiz Bowl — I think it's better to guess than not to answer — at least if you're right you'd get credit. I'm proud of you for being on this team."
"Don't smoke, drink, or do drugs — but you can always dye your hair and eat gummy bears!"
"YOU CAN control your moods!"
"Don't criticize others unless you are willing to be criticized yourself."
"Eat fruits and veggies every day and live a healthy long life."
"Travel and see the world — it'll make you appreciate coming home again."
"Know when to spill your guts — know when to keep your mouth shut and learn how to tell the difference in these situations."
"Stay as confident as you can while you tread through your teenage years — it'll be hard because everyone will try to steal your confidence (except your parents) — so you'll have to be strong."
"Don't put too much stock in [AOL] messenger conversations — there's no substitute for being in person."
"I know I said this before in a lunchbox letter, but when one door closes another opens. The hard part is to think about the opportunities of that new open door — and not obsess about what's closing."
"Count your blessings — not your troubles."
"Love as hard and strong as you can — even if it means loving someone so much you get paralyzed with fear if something bad happens to them."
"When the going gets tough — the tough get going!"
"Remember we are a strong family and we'll make the right decisions because we stick together!"
"Cooperate with your parents — it'll get you more privileges in the end."
"Persevere — keep asking and you'll get what you want. It took awhile to get your day with dad — but you did it. Those pictures are priceless."
"Keep a journal of milestones in your life so you'll have good memories of growing up — especially in this house."
"Don't condemn or criticize."
"Try not to let the teasing girls get to you. Those girls are always going to be jealous of your accomplishments."
"Compliment each girl in your class you want to get to know better. Think of something that would make you feel good and say something that important to each girl. Be the observer and see what happens. I don't think you'll see overnight results, but keep looking."
"Don't be quick to judge the girls at school — it's up to you to look for something good in each one."
This is the shoebox I kept the letters in. We decorated it with a "seal of approval" and our signatures, proving our dedication to the project.
Here's a picture of my mom and me in 2003 on the left, and again in 2016 on the right.
