This past weekend was a really special weekend.
We were in Santa Barbara for our 10 year college reunion.
In addition to Homecoming festivities, we had a great time with our California family (it was so kind of my in-laws to move to Santa Barbara 8 years ago!), spent time with dear friends, met two brand new baby girls who belong to two of my bridesmaids/friends, and even had two date-nights at fabulous restaurants on State St (Jane & Tupelo Junction Cafe).
But back to Homecoming...while it truly is a college, I will admit, Westmont looks more like a summer camp (which is precisely why I wanted to go there!). It is a small Christian liberal arts college (smaller than my high school, in fact) nestled in the hills of Santa Barbara. I went to public schools for K-12, and a large state university for graduate school, but a small private Christian school was definitely the right choice for me for college. To say I was blessed and am incredibly thankful to have received a stellar education at Westmont College would be a GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. Every time I am back there I am more and more thankful...to the point of being a little overwhelmed actually.
As I walked around the ridiculously gorgeous campus where I lived for three years I would watch students walk by and have a strong desire to stop them and talk to them. But, I didn't. Mostly because I was trying to keep Abby from rolling down a hill or falling off a rock...that, and I didn't want to be some old alum interrupting them with sentimentality and perspective.
Here is what I would have said to them.
Actually, here is what I would have said to "freshman in college Emily" 14 years ago...
- These aren't the "best years of your life," but they are certainly wonderful and unique years. You may think you are stressed, and have a lot on your plate, but YOU DON'T. Soak up this time where you can focus on you, I don't think there will be another time like it as long as you live.
- Never say never. In fact, if you say "never" you can pretty much be assured it will happen. Click here if you don't believe me.
- Enjoy Chapel thoroughly. Being able to attend chapel three times a week, sing hymns with the student body, and listen to really great speakers/teachers is a LUXURY you will likely never have again. Don't study during Chapel, soak it up. Your spiritual life is more important than cramming for that test.
- Pay attention in class. Learn. Really really learn. When you get older you will wish you had enjoyed and learned/retained more in about every class (except for intro-level chemistry...don't worry about that one.)
- Invest in friendships as much as studies. The content of your classes, and results of your BA will only take you so far, but your deep and committed friendships will be there for you for the rest of your life.
- Skip class more. Get the notes from a friend, but seriously, go for more hikes in the hills and spend more time just sitting at the beach. I know you aren't really the skipping class type, but at least ditch the library and study at the beach more. Invest in a really good beach chair and don't forget to wear a hat and lots of sunscreen.
- Don't be opposed to meeting your husband while in college (cuz you're going to). Marriage is great. While you will never have the "single and living downtown Chicago" phase of life that you pictured, you will never want one less day married to your best friend.
- You are good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, creative enough. And you are loved more than enough by your parents and your Creator. You are enough. Relax.
Now I wish I could read what I would have said to myself about this crazy
preschool/baby/staying-at-home-with-kids phase of life.
I'll bet it would be something to the effect of...
ENJOY EVERY MINUTE, IT WILL GO SO FAST.
