Next month, the latest issue of Vogue is coming out with the beautiful Victoria Beckham on its front cover. But behind the image of Posh Spice is a beautiful and insightful letter called “What I Wish I’d Known.” The letter is written by Beckham to herself at age 18.
In the letter, the 42 year old international icon muses about how fashion has changed over the years; she remembers her teenage insecurities and self-doubt; but the best part of her letter is when she recalls the first moment she laid eyes on her husband of 17 years, David Beckham. She encourages her younger self to believe in love at first sight.
The full letter will be printed in October Vogue, but below is an excerpt released early by the magazine:
Vogue
I know you are struggling right now. You are not the prettiest, or the thinnest, or the best at dancing at the Laine Theatre Arts college. You have never properly fitted in, although you are sharing your Surrey school digs with really nice girls. You have bad acne. You think the Principal has put you at the back of the end-of-year show (in a humiliatingly bright purple Lycra leotard) because you are too plump to go at the front. (This may or may not be true.)
You are going to have so much fun with your clothes — PVC catsuits; chokers that say absurd things; weird spiky blonde hair. It will never occur to you that you appear ridiculous. You will turn up at awards ceremonies resembling a drag queen. But I look back at you and smile. It will add interest to your life to go from one extreme to another. I love the fact that you will feel free to express yourself. Fashion will take on added stature one day, but try not to be stifled by it. You will learn, as you mature, to swap heels for Stan Smith trainers, minidresses for crisp white shirts. And you will never be one of those people who just roll out of bed.
Learn more about football, especially the offside rule. And yes, love at first sight does exist. It will happen to you in the Manchester United players’ lounge — although you will get a little drunk, so exact details are hazy. While the other football players stand at the bar drinking with their mates, you will see David standing aside with his family. (He’s not even in the first team at this stage — you are the famous one.) And he has such a cute smile. You, too, are close to your family, and you will think how similar he feels to you. He’s going to ask for your number. (He still has the London-to-Manchester plane ticket on which you wrote it.)
A photo posted by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) on
Victoria also struggled with insecurities and self-doubt. But through perseverance and her belief in love she has risen to become one of the most iconic pop stars (and celebrity couples) of all time!
Share Victoria Beckham’s sweet love story and wise advice to her younger self today.
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