In every community, there are women whose determination, resilience and vision shape the world around them. These women often pave the way for future generations, breaking barriers and leaving lasting legacies. They carry stories of perseverance, hard-earned wisdom and bold ventures. But what if they could send a letter back to their younger selves? We are thrilled to share the powerful advice and meaningful reflections of a few of our local ladies who lead confidently, purposefully and passionately.
Dear Younger Bethany,
You don’t know it yet, but you are going to be stronger than you ever imagined. You don’t need all the answers right now. This beautiful, messy, heartbreaking and love-filled life you dream about will be even more amazing than you can imagine. You’ll learn that being raised by a single mother, leaning on your Nana, Poppy, big sister, and many incredible mentors wasn’t just your foundation. It was your greatest gift. Lean into their love, strength and the lessons they leave behind. You’ll become a mother of two amazing boys, and it will be the most beautiful, challenging and rewarding adventure of all. You’ll raise them with strength, love and determination, just as your mother did for you. Your experiences will teach you resilience, independence and the beauty of embracing the unknown. But what will truly define you is your heart for people, your desire to serve and the way you pour yourself into the lives of others. Your work will change lives, but the greatest gift will be the community that supports and inspires you every step of the way. So trust your spirit, even when the path feels uncertain. Never forget you are exactly who you were always meant to be.
With love and gratitude,
Me
Dear Younger Carrie,
Your life is a privilege. Thank God for every day that He gives you. God created you for exactly this time. He gave you amazing qualities, skills and purpose that you are to use to glorify Him. You will see Him work through you and you will see Him do things that you could not have done on your own. You will get a front-row seat to see some of His work and it’s an amazing show. You will experience amazing highs in life and painful lows. The lows are some of the places where you will see God clearly. There, you will also find your true character, grit and resilience. But Carrie, you will find the mountain tops as well. And they make it all worthwhile.
Love,
Me
Dear Younger Kelly,
Make your bed every morning and eat breakfast with your family. Enjoy the conversations and stay involved in your family’s lives. Never stop saying, “I love you.” You will get knocked down, ridiculed and passed over, but never quit! You will be a young female in business, but be kind, study harder and learn from your mentors. Soak up the knowledge shared with you by men and women willing to teach you. In-person meetings will not go out of style. Continue these! Some of the best advice I can give you is to turn your “got to” into “get to.” Pray all day long, read and study your Bible, spend time with your parents while you can and tell them you love them. When you achieve goals, remember you didn’t get there by yourself; be appreciative and grateful.
Love,
Me
Dear Younger Morgan,
Take a deep breath, girl. I know you have big dreams, but spoiler alert—it won’t go exactly how you pictured, but it’ll be even better. Right now, you see yourself managing a luxury event planning company or running a five-star hotel. Hospitality will always be in your DNA, but life will nudge you toward something even more special. One day, you’ll find yourself standing in the middle of a family business, blending tradition with creativity. Success won’t be about climbing a corporate ladder—it’ll be about building something meaningful that brings people together. And here’s something you don’t see coming—having a family of your own will shift your world in the best way. It will change your perspective, shape your priorities and bring a new kind of fulfillment. You’ll learn to balance ambition with what truly matters. Your faith will be your anchor, guiding you through uncertainty and reminding you that God’s plan is always greater than your own. You’ll find joy in the chaos, strength in the unknown and confidence in your own instincts. Oh, and that perfectionist streak? Loosen your grip a little. Most importantly, be yourself. Dream big, take risks and trust the journey—the best is yet to come.
With love,
Morgan
Love without limits. Serve with passion. Take all of the pictures. Travel to all the places. Notice the tiny details. Expect nothing and appreciate everything.
Don’t fit into someone else’s mold or tone yourself down. Your creativity, grit and uniqueness are your magic.