A letter to my future daughter....

My daring little girl (for that is what you will always be). There are some home truths that I felt it best to tell you. Some little bits of advice, that I wanted to share with you.

Fandoms are the best places in the world to get caught in. Never worry that you read too much, or seem too obsessed. It's okay to be a fan girl, and there will be so many of your fellow kind out there, to support you when things go wrong, or even sometimes, oh so right in your fandom. You are all of one, they will become a part of your family. It's okay to immerse yourself in fiction; fill your head with as many pages, words, stories and worlds as possible - for the imagination is one of the greatest human tools.

Never let anyone ruin your imagination, or try to ground you, or bind you with their "realities". There is no limit to what you can achieve if you can imagine it, go for it. Your imagination, and what you can do with it, is the best escape from the harsh reality and difficulties of the world around you. The world is your oyster, and never let anyone stop you. You can be anything you want, if you try hard enough. Don't dream it, be it!

However, there will be times when they set you back, and hold you from your goal, but your family will be here to help you up again, dust you off and push you in the right direction. Never underestimate the power and importance of your family. You'll always want your independence, and that's okay (no matter what I say), but you can always come home; there will always be a shoulder to cry on and a cup of tea waiting for you. Mum and Dad are always here for you, and it's okay to come running home. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

Always, always (!) wear sun cream. I never believed them when I was young either - but really, sunburn hurts, and can play havoc with your skin. You could be lucky, but you might not, and then your health will pay for it later in life. You don't want to ruin that beautiful skin, and look old before your time. Believe me.

Maths is difficult - really difficult. If it seems easy, you're most likely doing it wrong. Always go to Daddy for help with maths problems, for I truly have no idea what the hell is going on - and I'll always have a calculator for you somewhere.

Red lipstick is tricky, stubborn, and rarely worth the effort. All your clothes, possessions, friends and family will somehow end up with stains all over them, and they will not be impressed at all.

You never need as much make-up as you think you do. You are so naturally beautiful, don't spoil it with piles of slap. I didn't listen to well meaning friends and family who said the same when I was younger, and looked very stupid for a long time, until I sorted my look out. Men/women (whatever you like - you know I don't mind at all), do not like tonnes of fake tan or heavy eye make-up. You want them to be able to recognise you for the natural beauty you are when all that synthetic stuff is gone. Always use make-up to highlight the real you, rather than mask her completely.

Some girls around you will try and dedicate their lives to making you feel rubbish about yourself. Don't give them the time of day, don't let them get to you, and don't react (unless you have something clever and witty up your sleeve). And please make sure you point these girls out to mummy and daddy, so we can put them in their places - the same goes for those stupid boys! I'll teach them a thing or two if they ever make you cry.

It is okay to cry. It is not a sign of weakness, nor of giving up. Sometimes what you really need is a good cry. Sometimes you'll just feel like going home, crawling up in a ball and crying your guts out. That's okay, because sometimes, you'll feel so much better for it. It's a huge relief. And I'm always here for you to lean on if you need me. I might need you sometimes too. You shouldn't cry for those who don't deserve it though. Those who don't deserve your sorrow and hurt - people who you just don't give another thought to, just walk away. Sometimes, sitting there and crying over them, isn't going to make it any better, and that's when you shouldn't bother.

Worrying about things is utterly pointless. No one ever solved a problem by worrying about it. It's better to take action for something, to try your hardest at it, because in the end, that's all you can do - your utmost best, and no one can ask for more from you. The little silly things you do - the bad joke you made in front of that boy/girl you liked, the wrong conversation you bought up, the wrong dress or shade of eyeshadow you wore at that party - there's no point in worrying about that either, so you may as well just let them go, put them down to experience and forget all about it. No amount of worrying about it is going to change it sweetie.

Algebra sucks, and is utterly pointless most the time, but I'm afraid you'll just have to brave it. At times, there may be things Mum and Dad can do about P.E, but you're stuck with algebra. Sorry.

Ice-cream is amazing. For all situations; celebratory and problematic. End of story.

Cheese-cake is also good.

Booze, however, is not - it's also not that cool. It'll make you do stupid things, feel and smell awful and can really mess your insides up. It's okay in moderation; and also when I know where you are, who you are with and what you're doing. You must be the right age, or there will be trouble. Trust me.

Take good care of your teeth, and your eyes. They are valuable assets, and you only really get one proper set. You can enjoy your favourite treats much longer, if you take care of your teeth. Missing teeth is not a very attractive trait.

Boys/girls will come and go; family, and most friends, will remain. Boys/girls (delete as applicable if you wish), will sometimes try and hurt you on purpose; they will lie, deceive, manipulate, physically and psychologically abuse you to try and get what they want. You do not have to stay with these people. You can do so, so much better - believe me - you do not have to waste a second with them. Just leave, and Daddy and I will make them stay away.

There will be many heartbreaks and faulty relationships before you find someone you really, truly love. It will take a long time, and you have to try and be patient, please. (I definitely didn't listen to that). There will be many times that you'll think you're in love, and you'll be insistent to me that you couldn't see yourself with anyone else (and it'll wind me up no end). But I will keep calm for you, and ride through all your difficulties with you, because I know what it's like to be there. I was young once. When you find the one for you, you will definitely know. Believe me.

White shorts are usually a terrible Idea. As are white shoes.... and most white clothing in fact.

Never be afraid to ask me for something. There will be times where I cant get you something right away, or when something you want really isn't practical - but I will always try to find a way to help you.

Be kind, caring and loving, and you will glow, and people will flock around you because of it. People will be drawn to you if you radiate happiness. Don't let them take advantage of it though - you must know when to draw a line in your generosity and caring, and tell people to leave. Don't let them leach of you and steal your energy - that's when to make distance.

Never measure your success in money; measure it in what you love most, whatever that may be, even if people don't understand.

Your brain and your heart will always disagree, and no-one really knows whats going on in their gut - you will usually end up following one of the latter, and the brain will always be there to say "I informed you thusly!".

For some people, whatever you do will never be enough. Don't give a toss about them. I will be proud of you whatever you do, even if I don't understand or approve - and so long as you are happy, then that's all that matters.

Be creative in whatever way you can. Everyone has a spark of creativity in them, they just have to find it. It took me a very long time to find mine, and I'm still searching. Just look at your dad though - he breathes creativity. Be like that.

Music is an amazing thing; a truly inspiring, brilliant, fantastic, outstanding, magical thing. It is a fabulous combination of imagination and creativity. There is music for every emotion, and a song for every situation. Old music is amazing, despite what you may think. Listening to good music can make you forget all your worries, even if only for a short while.

Dancing is brilliant; never be afraid to dance. No mater how silly you think you look, there is usually someone who looks sillier than you (it will usually be me). And even if you do look silly, those who mind, you need not care about, and those you care about, shouldn't mind.

Sneaking out is not cool. You could get hurt or in trouble, and we wouldn't know where you are, and that would terrify your Dad and I. Please always ask, because although there will be times where we might still be worried, we will find a way, that means you can have fun and be safe. I'll usually be okay with you going out, believe me, so long as I'm fully aware of whats happening. Honestly, just try me!

There will be times where you and I argue with each other, of course there will. There will be times where I'll be stressed, tired, worried or upset, and I might need your support. But please understand, that if ever a day goes by, where I don't tell you I love you, you must know that I always will. No matter what.

Oh, and please don't chop off, dye or in any other way, ruin that lovely hair - take it from my personal experience on that.

And before you get all stubborn and smart-arse on me and say "what do you know, you're a grown up, you're old! Of course you don't want me to have fun!".... I wrote this when I was 16, I know what I'm talking about (some of the times). Okay?

P.S. Guys are knob heads. Full stop.