DAY 10 - JoAnna

Today's Topic: Someone I Don't Talk to As Much As I Like To

JoAnna is one of my friends from high school. We were in many of the same classes together, and most of the same afterschool clubs and activities together. I considered her somewhat of an honorary band member, since most of her friends were in band and she hung out with us so often.

Dear JoAnna,

You are hilarious. I miss that. You weren't afraid to be your own person, but you knew when to hold off to make other people comfortable. Your sense of humor wasn't always my style, but you respected me enough to make an effort when I was around, and for that I am very grateful.

You made everyone feel welcome. You became a friend to all. You were never held back by the fear or nervousness that most of us feel. I was so glad you wanted to be my friend.

Throughout the years after high school, you still made me feel special when you thought of me. I so appreciate your efforts to keep in touch with me, and I'm sorry I've been such a lame friend. I wish I could better repay your wonderful years of friendship. Thank you for all the fun times you have given me!

Most Gratefully,
Hilary

DAY 9 - Brigham

Official Topic: Someone I Wish I Could Meet
My Take: Someone I Wish I Could Re-Meet When They're Older

Brigham was one of my kids my second week at EFY. He was from Utah but visiting his cousin in Virginia and so came to EFY with him. Even though the group was 14-15 year olds, I thought Brigham was on the old side until one day the subject of his birthday came up. He was only 13! That's why I changed today's topic to someone I have already met, but want to meet again when they are older.

Dear Brigham,

Thanks for being so awesome at EFY. That week I was feeling a little disappointed, but you made me excited for the week again. Thank you for being my right-hand man and more responsible than many of the older company members.

I loved how you were already excited about the gospel even at your young age. I could tell that you have been raised right by a great family that loves you and sets a good example for you. You asked more intelligent questions and carried on conversations better than many people my age that I know.

Thanks also for asking me to dance on Friday; it made my night, and it was really cute. You'll make a great man someday; I hope I get to meet you again one day when you're old! (And that you'll remember me when that happens, and not think that I am creepy...)

Till Then,
Hilary

DAY 8 - Guyomar

This is the legit(imate) topic today folks: My Favorite Internet Friend.

Dear Guyomar,

Those years of my obsession with creating websites are long past by now, but I still remember how envious I was of your website. And how thrilled out of my mind I was when we became friends. Your site was like my hero, and to have you come visit mine and help me along my way was like meeting a celebrity (without the actual meeting you part).

My parents' rules were that I was not allowed to email or talk with anyone online that I didn't know in person. But yeah, I talked to you anyways. You could be a 12 year old boy, or maybe even a nice old grandmother, and I wouldn't know the difference, but I still thought you were really rad. Thanks for having faith in me. You gave me confidence in doing something I loved, for which I will ever be grateful.

Good luck wherever you are. You're probably a super-champion blogger since that's the thing now. I can't find your site anymore, but I remember that it was the bomb.

You're Awesome,
Hilary

DAY 7 - Matt

Official Topic: My Ex-Boyfriend/Love/Crush
My Take: One of My Ex-Crushes

I've had more serious crushes than the one I did on Matt, but some of these people will be addressed on different days so as to speak on the maximum amount of folks.

Dear Matt,

I remember when you were a silly freshman. And then that year you wanted to quit band. We were just talking about the incredibleness you grew into at band camp in August, and Greg said something about how we were star-crossed lovers or always fated to be together. Secretly I was a little overjoyed, since you're so awesome.

You knew you were awesome, and you always joked about it, but really, you are stinkin hilarious, and you can kick behind at the trumpet, so it was ok when you pretended to be arrogant. Arrogant makes it sound so negative... but it was really funny. Ok, maybe only because I liked you. I loved it when I got one of your famous bear hugs, when you joined the brass quintet, and when you remembered me after I graduated. I think asking you to Homecoming was the first time I'd ever asked a boy on a date.

Looking back, I'm glad we remained friends, and that we still do remain friends. Who doesn't want such a hilarious champion trumpet player on their side?

Sincerely,
Hilary

DAY 6 - Justin Beiber

Official Topic: A Stranger
My Take: A Stranger Who Happens To Be Famous And Whom I Will Probably Never Meet

Dear Justin Beiber,

Who are you? Why are you such a big deal? Why are you trying to enhance the fail idea that long hair on males is cool?

I do approve that you are from Canada. I don't understand why most people think Canada is lame, it's sad; you guys had a great Olympics, and make great Olympic clothing. Also I'm assuming you don't talk about disgusting things in your songs, so thanks for keeping the next generation of American girls pure.

I do feel sorry for you that you are such fodder for jokes among the next generation of American boys. Maybe they're just jealous. I also feel somewhat of a bond with you since you also have an oft-mispronounced last name. Well, I guess yours isn't so mispronounced anymore since you have a cool rhyme to help people remember. But before I heard about Beiber Fever I thought your last name was pronounced bee-ber. (Sorry.)

So actually, this letter has helped me realize I don't think you're so weird. Maybe I'll even listen to one of your songs. Or watch your 3-D biopic. (Bahahaha, just kidding. That is lame, though.)

Sincerely,
Hilary

DAY 5 - Myself

Official Topic: My Dreams
My Take: A Pep-Talk to Myself About My Future

I couldn't decide if I wanted to take this topic as the "goals and aspirations" kind of dreams vs. the "things I think about at night" dreams. But while Megan & I were watching The Diving Bell and the Butterfly last night, someone in the movie said only bores talk about the dreams they dream at night. So, to give this post the maximum potential it can so it will not be a bore, here comes this instead.

Dear Me,

You are awesome. I have enjoyed being able to see how you have grown and matured in these past few years. Your goals and ambitions have developed from vague desires to clear choices. Instead of dreaming of "one day" or "sometime," you have realized you need to put yourself on a path to those goals now. The time to reap the fruits of your harvest are coming up sooner than you think.

You have also set more priority on spiritual goals, of which I am proud. I can feel your excitement to become a loving wife. Slowly your desires have changed to become not as important to you as those of your future husband. You have set some goals aside or placed smaller importance on them while replacing them with the more important things.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the way you've turned out. Sure, you need some work (you know what I'm talking about), but your goals are good. I think they please your Heavenly Father, which is nice, since you'll need His help to fulfill them. And fulfilled they will be. You've made a good start, Hilary!

Sincerely,
Me

DAY 4 - Jaime

Official Topic: Your Sibling or Closest Relative
My Take: One of My Fabulous Sisters

I have 3 sisters. I will be speaking on my youngest sister later in this monthly challenge, and my closest sister in age is just so awesome I can't find a challenge category to contain her. Jaime, who is 4 1/2 years older than me, is my oldest sister.

Dear Jaime,

When I was growing up I thought you were really weird. The only three things I really remember from when we lived at home together is once when I was little, I was really angry at you and Megan, so I wrote on a piece of paper, "You are DUMB!!!" and slipped it under your door. Except I spelled "dumb" as "dom." And so when you guys read it you busted up laughing and I was just even angrier. And then you made fun of me for it for the rest of my life (so far).

Number two is one night I was allowed to sleep over in yours and Megan's room. You both were in your loft beds, but you made me stay up really late just listening to you and Megan say some phrase so I could guess which one of you was saying it. Because someone said you guys sounded alike. But I got it right every time. Also a different time I spent the night in your room you told me that if a nightlight didn't have a cover/shade over it, it would explode and burn up the whole house.

Third thing is that one time you sat on the living room floor and read Wikipedia articles out loud about people who ate human feces. And you thought it was really funny, especially when I asked you to stop because it was disgusting. (Okay, that's the last time I tell that story, I promise.)

But I have learned that even though you enjoy making fun of me and making me uncomfortable, it is not out of spite or dislike like I once imagined. You just have a different sense of humor than I. And even though you and your fiance are weird sometimes, I'm truly glad you found someone after your own heart.

Watching you throughout the years has taught me a lot about relationships and what I should and should not expect in my own future spouse. I have also grown to respect your enthusiasm and envy your ability to talk to anyone. Overall you have been a great example to me, and have been patient with me as I have learned to respect you. Thanks for putting up with me all these years, Jaime. I'm so glad I can come to your wedding in October!!

Love,
Hilary

DAY 3 - Lisa & Dallas

Official Topic: My Parents
My Take: My Awesome Parents

Dear Mom & Dad,

I'm sorry I have been such a whiner sometimes. And such an avoider of work. Really, I have been a pretty lazy daughter. But I am so stinkin' grateful for my roommates last semester, because they taught me how to be grateful for you!

Sometimes growing up I wondered why you did things your way, and why it mattered so much to you. Now I can see it, and you guys knew exactly what you were talking about. Everything you did had a reason, and it was to help us be our best. You admitted your mistakes and helped me correct mine. You never demanded of me what you knew I could not do.

You have faith in me, and you can see who I can become. I am grateful there's someone here beside me who can see that girl, when I can't. And best of all, you show her to me with humor and love and forgiveness. Even when it's hard, you've always set a Christlike example for your children to follow. When I was young, I didn't want to be anything like you when I was a parent; but now, I hope I can be even half as successful as you were. Thank you for your sacrifices. It's working, guys.

Love,
Your Daughter Hilary

DAY 2 - Twins

Official Topic: My Crush
My Take: All Those Poor Boy Twins & Best Friends I Mistreated Throughout My Life

I feel like it'd be a little repetitive if I wrote about Kurt every time one of these kind of challenge days came up, so I wanted to talk about a crush I'd had in my frivolous youth. I thought about my first crush, in preschool; which was actually kindof two, since they were twins, John and David. And then I realized I must have a thing for twins/best-friends-who-might-as-well-be-twins, because I thought of more than one other sets that I have had crushes on throughout the years. Yes, in each case I liked both of them, ok? I am a creepy love loser. And I know that twins are different people, it just happened. A lot. So here's to you, boys.

Dear You Guys,

I am so sorry. I'm a loser. Thanks to each of you for still being my friend, even though I was being player-ish. Like I said, I have grown up to realize I was a frivolous girl. One who wasn't grateful enough for what she already had and couldn't make up her mind. One who put her own wants above anyone else's.

Some of you I believe I seriously hurt, some of you we only ever had fun, and some of you taught me who I was. (Yes, there's a lot of someones of you, ok? I know.) Thank you for being some of the greatest friends I have ever had. I think in some ways I was envious of that connection you had with your brother; I wanted a bond like that with somebody. I was just seeking it in each of the wrong (creepy) places.

Again, I am sorry, but secretly, I am pleased I ever knew each of you. That's the selfish streak still in me that shone the brightest when I liked you and your brother. Don't worry, I have myself under better control now. Thanks for helping me realize that lack of self-control, even if it took me a multitude of years to pick up on it.

Most Sincerely,
Hilary

DAY 1 - Tori

Official Topic: My Best Friend
My Take: One of My Greatest Friends

I recently wrote a post about my lack of a best best friend. Perhaps my definition of a best friend is too selfish, but we can analyze that later. For today, I'll tell you about Tori, who is one of my great friends.

Dear Tori,

I don't remember helping you after school when you were in middle school, but something must have clicked. I do remember when I was the tuba section leader, and we needed another tubist. I was so excited to suggest you. The first day you came to band camp you were wearing jeans. I was nervous how you'd turn out, but you've become one of the best leaders and contributors to the band I still love.

I am so proud to call you my friend. You are talented, passionate, and responsible. Having you there to talk to and laugh with and whisper to made marching band so much more exciting. I looked forward to it each and every day.

It still amazes me that you are only one year older than my little sister. I compare all the younger people I know to you, which probably isn't fair to them. You're so old for your age, which I think helped us connect even though we are 3 years apart. Thank you for sticking by me even though distance was easier. Thank you for hanging out with me even though I was much older than you, especially by high school years. Thank you for always caring about me, even though you have plenty of other people who want your attention. Thank you for making me feel special.

Love Always,
Hilary