Dear 20-year-old Mandi,
Hi, it’s me. Well, it’s you. Ten years into the future, that is. You wouldn’t believe what life looks like now, yet you would be proud of how far you have come. At twenty, in 2015, I know you face much uncertainty as you leave your teen years and decide what to do with your life. You chose Elementary Education as your major and are in the midst of your college studies at Oklahoma State University. Working with children is your passion, and you have a God-given gift. You are now a second-grade teacher, and your students love you.
This may hurt, but you need to hear it: none of the guys you love in your twenties will choose you, but I promise you will be okay. Please, don’t waste your beautiful heart on them. The moment you stop caring about them is when you will feel peace. You’ll realize in time that you don’t need a guy. You have accomplished much more with your life than they have. Don’t believe me? You know how you just completed Composition I and II and thought, “I could teach this”? Well, you’re teaching it. Yes, you are now an adjunct professor at a Bible college, teaching freshman writing. How did that happen? Do I have a story for you…
In August 2023, you moved from Oklahoma to Billings, Montana, to attend Montana Bible College. You completed the 1-year certificate in Biblical studies. You needed a break from teaching and wanted a relaxing, healing year. Several of your professors became curious about you throughout the first few weeks. The other students were 18-year-olds; therefore, some of your work stood out. Professors began sending students struggling with writing to you, and you tutored them.
One of your classes was a beginning writing course: Effective Written Communication. During the first class, your professor overheard you talking about your time in graduate school. He seemed surprised that you were taking his entry-level writing course. You told him you loved writing and felt you could learn more from him. The last week of September, he approached you during class. He asked, “Has the Vice President of Academic Affairs reached out to you yet? I hope it’s okay, but I told him you should be the school’s writing tutor.” He had said a student in his writing class loved to write, had a Master’s in Reading and Literacy, and was tutoring students out of kindness.
Soon after, the Vice President of Academic Affairs approached you and asked you to be the school’s writing tutor! You met with him to discuss the position. Towards the end of the conversation, he said, “I have something else I would like to talk to you about. I don’t need an answer now, but I would like you to teach a class here this Spring. How would you feel about that?” This was completely unexpected, but a pleasant surprise. The class was called Teaching Children. He heard from your writing professor that you had 5 years of teaching experience and a Master’s degree, and it was a perfect fit.
Your first evening as a professor, you were very apprehensive. Having never taught college before, you were experiencing all the anxiety and doubt that comes with trying something new. However, no one seemed to doubt your ability or whether you deserved this position. It wasn’t long before you became comfortable in front of the classroom, even though you were now in front of 20-year-olds instead of five-year-olds.
As the semester came to a close, you knew you didn’t want to return to Oklahoma yet, but also didn’t know if you should remain in Montana. Until you received an email from the Vice President of Academic Affairs requesting to meet with you regarding your future with Montana Bible College. He informed you there was an opening to teach the writing course and asked if you would be interested in teaching it. You said, “Absolutely”!
The rest is history. You are now a writing professor, like you’ve been dreaming. You’ve become a fearless, accomplished woman who still loves writing and writes as much as possible. Please don’t forget how much you love to write, even in those darkest moments. Writing always brings you joy; make time for it.
Well, you made it. You’re thriving. At thirty, your words are inspiring college freshmen. Now, I am waiting for a letter from our 40-year-old self, telling me we have finally published our novel…
Anyway, I’ll keep you posted. Keep praying and keep writing!

30-year-old Mandi

Style Score – 83%