Change…

Change is hard. This Friday I move into West Virginia University, a college that is 353 miles away from the place I have called my home for the past 11 years. Leaving my parents, friends, pets, safe haven, and my childhood places is extremely saddening to me. To leave the people that have been there for me constantly absolutely breaks my heart into pieces.

Ever since a young age, I have always been the type of person to wish my youth away and always strive for my ultimate goals. I can’t help but feel that I wished my childhood years away longing for a college degree and the professional business that comes after. I did not truly understand the importance of living in the moment until attending Governor’s School during my junior summer. This is something I wish I could’ve learned before I did, but nevertheless I am glad I now have a ‘live in the moment’ outlook on my life. I have always dreamed about going off to college, but now that it is here I don’t think I have ever wanted to turn back time as much as I do now.

Now that my college journey begins in just a little over a day, I am flooded with emotions. Scared, intimidated, ecstatic, anxious, sad, overwhelmed, heartbroken, stressed, and excited are just a few of the huge mix of emotions I am experiencing. Even though I am experiencing a tidal wave of emotions I know that I am ready to begin this new chapter in my life and that there is no way to halt time. I would give anything for one more week with my loving family and friends who have supported me through thick and thin, but sadly that cannot be.

I would like to thank my friends. Thank you for remaining by my side even when I got stressed out and took out my anger on you. Thank you for keeping a smile on my face and laughter within my heart. Thank you for sticking by my side through the beast that is high school. I would also like to thank my parents. Thank you for supporting me through all of my ambitious goals and checkpoints. Thank you for always believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you for teaching me life lessons and instilling values within me which have made me the person I am today. Thank you for the endless and bottomless love which you have given to me since day one.

So yes, change is hard. It’s exhilarating yet terrifying, exciting yet saddening. But if there is one thing I know, I would not be where I am today without being surrounded by my family, friends, and teachers who have influenced me and made me me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to those who have walked into my life and influenced me in any way. It is because of you I am ready to create this new chapter in my life.