Dear Heidi,

First off, let’s get one thing straight. Forty years old is very, very young. Really, it is. You won’t believe how young 40 is.

Now that we have that basic truth out of the way, let me tell you some things I wish you had known a little earlier in life.

Pinot noir and gouda are both excellent.

Laugh more. Don’t take everything so seriously.

Getting pregnant and having a baby is a miracle. Never take it for granted.

Eat a little dark chocolate most days. It is delicious and is also apparently good for you. Win, win. Don’t eat very many other sweets. You don’t like them much anyway.

Trust your gut.

Being a mom is the most amazing thing you’ll ever do. Hands down. Cliche, but true. And the kid– wow. Just wait til you meet him.

There will be a day when you think coffee tastes better without cream and sugar. Crazy, I know.

You can’t go home again. Or, maybe you can, but it is a very long and winding road.

You’re wearing the wrong bra size (along with the majority of women). Go get fitted and spend some money on high-quality bras. Totally worth it.

Most people are so busy worrying about their own lives that they are not paying much attention to you. Don’t worry so much about what people think.

Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.

Primary care for vulnerable kids is not the most glamorous part of medicine. No matter. Do not doubt your decision. This is your calling.

Lift some weights. You’ll love it. I’m not kidding.

You’ll make mistakes- in medicine and in life. Try your best to learn from them and move on. Don’t beat yourself up. You are still not very good at this.

Be kind. Be yourself. Love deeply. Let the rest fall away.