 
             dateFormmater.dateFormat = "MMM  d, yyyy, h:mm a"
 
+            // will have to change the message dateformatter for each message
+            
+            
             for message in self.messages {
                 // can't loop through and call date all of these times
                 let nativeGetAtDate = dateFormmater.date(from: message.getAt)

        UNUserNotificationCenter.current().add(request) {
            (error) in
            if error != nil {
                print("Error adding notification: \(error?.localizedDescription)")
            }
        }
    }


            // need to cast snapshot.value as a NSDictionary.
            let value = snapshot.value as? NSDictionary
            
            
            // may want to comment out notifications for now if that causes probs with date
            // may want to comment out anyway

            // ensuring that everything doesn't break if there's no new messages or maybe one
            if (snapshot.value as? [String: AnyObject]) != nil // unwrap it since its an optional
