Rikki is such a sweet girl. She is from my hometown, and boy, has she been busy with her high school career! Participating in sports, county fairs, cheerleading, national honor society, the list goes on. We spent a great afternoon together taking photos and having fun. She was such a great sport with every pose I put her into, up for anything and full of life. I wish her nothing but the best for the future!

Today or next week, you will be walking across the stage to receive your high school diploma. A new chapter of life will begin, the real world is out there and ready for you to explore and learn. And learn you will, because life isn’t going to stop. It goes on.

So make lots of noise, even if it annoys your parents or your neighbors. Learn the lesson of playing of hard to get. Be sure to know that dancing to a different song doesn’t mean you’re weird or crazy, it just means that you’re unique and special. You will miss your high school friends, but you will make new ones.

This is the time to grow, to become what you always wanted. Don’t settle for a dream that’s not close to amazing. Be amazing. And remember, do the work. Because dreams don’t work unless you do.

Congratulations to all the 2013 High School Seniors. May the rest of your life be blessed with glitter and some storms now and then. Because if you want to find the silver the lining, you’re going to have stand in the rain.