Dear Young Mary

Twenty years old. You are recently married, madly in love, and think that it will last forever. It won't. I wish you wouldn't stay here so long. I wish you would run like the wind when you find out about the first affair, but you won't.

Mary, you will never be able to fix anyone. No one but yourself, the one person you will neglect the most. But you will spend the next 28 years trying. Love yourself and you won't need so much love from others. Even when you realize this, much later in life, you still won't be able to practice it. I don't know why, because we are still struggling with it, even today.

The best advice I can give:

There's always another man.
There's always another house. (This will mean more to you when you decide you want to flip).
Always surround yourself with strong, intelligent, women who care about you. (You won't have a problem with this--you will always appreciate the value of your friends).
Don't wait so long to start getting pedicures.
Trust your instincts. They are almost always right. Don't think you are crazy for feeling suspicious. Don't apologize for it.
You will never regret choosing an SUV over a mini van.
When something goes wrong, and it will, don't think it's something you did. Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Don't think you could have stopped it by being prettier, skinnier, younger, smarter, friendlier, or sexier. It was never about you. Ever.
Listen to your parents. They are smarter than you think.
Confidence is sexy. Anxiety, insecurity, and jealousy are major turn offs--not only to lovers, but to friends, and everyone around you.
Take care of your skin.
Don't be so afraid of everything.
Never stop going to rock concerts.
Travel as much as you can.
Appreciate your family; especially your mother. She will be gone too soon.
Oh, and Mary...don't be content with the unacceptable. You deserve better.