Dear Adam

I am writing this letter to you from the future, as in late 2009 a couple of books were released containing a collection of letters by celebrities and other people dated to their 16 year old self’s. Other bloggers like us have latched onto the "trend" and thus now I find myself following suit and writing to myself, albeit my 13 year old junior.

Firstly, I ought to really apologise. Using a word like "bloggers" and offering no explanation. The thing is, if I did, I would have to explain the internet and websites and social media and tell you about your own website, how it came about and I know you better than that. Rather than me tell you all about it, I leave you with a tantalising glimpse of the future. It's not all Star Wars and Terminator (not yet), but you'll like it. Relish it, learn it, understand it, make a name for yourself

In fact, whether this reaches you on your 16th birthday, or if your back from Kavos yet (by the way, throwing up on buy one get one free alcohol won't be the last time you do it), you'll be studying IT in sixth form, you'll have also chosen Geography, but drop it. You will anyway. Make the most of it, play football up at the cage, but do some work. You'll benefit from it. Don't just retype the green book and hand it in. It may sound authoritarian and something that our Dad may say, but it's true. You'll be better for it.

Keep persevering on the job front, don't take the easy option of full time work when your part time job offers it to you on a plate. It's not where you want to be, easy money at a young age, but you won't have anything to show for it, except an expanding waist line! Guinness may well taste nice and drinking bitter may make you look older, but definitely not cooler. Plus your a Bird, you have Bird genes. Bird genes dictate that all alcohol consumed is stuck, permanently within the stomach area. Look at Gramps, look at Dad, it's inevitable I know, but postpone it for as long as you can.

Don't get me wrong, the next 13 years are amazing, incredible years. The most important years. The person you meet whilst working at your part time job will be the most important person you meet in your life. She won't be the person you expect her to be, nor the person other people may imagine her to be, but together, you'll grow, mould, sculpt and live together, eventually marrying and having a baby. I'm deliberately not giving too much away, I don't want to spoil the amazing journey of discovery that you are going to have here.

Having a baby together, it's the catalyst for you I believe, the moment in which you finally became a man. Your life definitely changed irrevocably from that point onwards, but it took you nine months to realise. There is nothing wrong with that, it's a life process, steps we make, events happen that define us, makes us who we are.

With everything that I know now, about you and the women you will meet. I offer this advice to you, both of you. Decide what you want to do, you are going to be together for a long time, 11 years at the time of writing. A lot of those years were spent from day to day, not making much sense, not growing as a man or couple. Make a plan, stick to it. Go travelling together, see the world, meet people, have fun. Your friends have done it, enjoyed it, have been better people for it. Alternatively, find that job you'll love, don't stick to what's easy, start your career earlier than what you did, encourage your wife to be every day, she can change people's lives, not just her own.

One bit of sad news that I do want to share, reluctantly I admit, but it's for a good reason. Your Nanny Guest, she unfortunately passes away in the July of 2005. It will break your heart, it will break a lot of the family’s hearts - she is still very much missed. Spend more time with her, travel up by yourself for the weekend if you need to. Tell her you love her and spoil her.

Her passing has left one vital legacy, her spirit lives on within the family and her Christian belief's have manifested themselves within her children and your cousins. You however still remain the black sheep, but you are on your own journey, don't worry about it, I know I'm not!

Despite that, there is so much to look forward to! Transatlantic excursions, all boys trips to European destinations, romantic moments with your wife to be, family fun with Jessica and her entourage - another tantalising glimpse of the yet to come! Your journey of discovery into the World Wide Web and your geeky nature embracing the technology and running with it.

Even the Gills! Congratulations again on them just getting promoted, a bit of a surprise that! Especially after being that close away from going bust! What fun you are going to have over the next few years! I wish just for that to be able to swap with you right now! Make sure that you leave after 90 minutes though, you will hate the word Dickov for the rest of your life.

One thing though, give up the whole FA Cup dream. One thing you shouldn't listen to Gramps about. Your just an old romantic really, no point in denying it!

Keep thinking big, enjoy it. Thinking outrageous things like carpeting a bedroom with astroturf, yes really, why not? Think it, do it, you can make it happen!

Adam

UPDATE
In December of 2011, the Dear Me book was re-released in the USA and a microsite was developed in support of the book. This blog post featured as part of one of the readers letters, which you can read by following this link.