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Getting my first cell phone also significantly marked my transition from kid to tween — in my mind at least.

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We’ve all been there. PEN15 just takes you back for a little while.

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Most adults have little to no understanding of the realities of mental illness. It doesn’t have to be the same for the next generation.

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Sometimes forgiveness is about accepting an apology you never received. Sometimes forgiveness isn’t about another person at all.

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What was your first kiss like? Awkward, sweet, terrible, all of the above?

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I would take my young self by the shoulders, look her straight in the eye, and say, “This isn’t going to make sense to you right now, but it is of the utmost importance: A vagina is not a dry piece of toast. It is a motherfucking Reuben.”

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It’s good to be different. It’s good to not look like or be like everyone else. Believe me, it’s a good thing. So, stop reaching for perfection. Stop reaching for something that isn’t you. And just be yourself. Because that’s the best you that you could ever be.

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“So you start Middle School today…and that is crazy because it feels like a week ago, I was sitting in 6th grade science class waiting for mom to call my Tracfone and tell me that you were born.”

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“As a student I thought it would be funny to ask my grade 7 teacher what tea bagging was (I played a lot of Halo) so she went on a 15 minute speech of what it was and why people may want to do it. The class was so stunned and I was pretty embarrassed.”

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He comes out from the other room completely naked and gyrating, saying “You got more than you bargained for!”