The Mid Life Dating Files 2025

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Dear Teenage Christy: Bless Your Heart

If I could sit down across from teenage Christy, I wouldn’t even order coffee.

I’d just grab her hands dramatically and say:

“Okay. First of all. We need to discuss your taste in men.”

Because WOW.

1. About That Boy…

Sweet girl.

Red flags are not party decorations.

They are not cute accessories.

They are not “projects.”

They are warnings.

If I could go back, I wouldn’t even ease into it. I’d say:

“Do. Not. Marry. Him.”

And then I’d lean in real close and whisper:

“You know the good one? The steady one? The respectful one? The one you let get away because you thought you needed excitement?”

Yeah. That one.

The one who is still an awesome human in every single way. The one who somehow managed to age like fine wine instead of expired milk.

Pay attention.

That’s all I’d say.

Just enough to plant the seed. 🌱

Because older Christy knows. Teenage Christy? She thought chaos was chemistry.

Bless her.

2. Career Crisis That Wasn’t

Next, I’d tell her to calm down about “having it all figured out.”

You’re going to switch lanes anyway.

More than once.

And somehow, the thing you thought was temporary will turn into purpose.

Also — stick with the family.

Stick with the family business.

Because not only does it shape you, but let’s be honest — that is where ALL the good writing material comes from.

No reality show could compete with family group chats and holiday dinners.

You will laugh.

You will learn.

You will gather stories that could fund your retirement.

Trust me.

3. Those “Friends”

Oh honey.

Every girl who smiles at you is not for you.

If they gossip with you, they will gossip about you.

If they bring drama, they are not “fun.” They are a future headache.

Some people are not your tribe — they are your lesson.

I would tell her:

“Protect your peace like it’s designer and you paid full price for it.”

Because you kind of do.

4. Breadcrumbs From the Future

I wouldn’t spoil the whole plot (because apparently we enjoy learning things the hard way), but I’d leave clues:

“You are stronger than you think.” “You survive things you can’t even imagine yet.” “One day you will not cry over people who don’t deserve you.” “Running becomes therapy.” (And no, we still don’t do trails. Snakes live there. We are not participating.)

I’d tell her she becomes wise.

Not bitter.

Discerning.

Not cold.

Confident.

Not desperate.

Huge difference.

5. But Here’s the Plot Twist

If we changed one big decision…

Would we still have our children?

Would we still have the same depth?

The same grit?

The same empathy?

Every wrong turn shaped us.

Every heartbreak strengthened us.

Every “What in the world were you thinking?” moment sharpened us.

And here’s the kicker:

Teenage Christy wasn’t foolish.

She was hopeful.

She believed people were who they said they were.

She believed love fixed everything.

She believed forever meant forever.

Older Christy now knows better.

But she’s also grateful.

Because without those choices — even the messy ones — we wouldn’t be who we are today.

Still standing.

Still loving.

Still laughing.

Just with much better instincts…

And significantly improved taste in men. 😏