The days leading to my departure to college was a blur of goodbyes and big changes. From the time I decided on a college in april of my senior year to the day before I left it was like I was in complete denial that anything would change once summer was over. By the time I came home from my summer vacation many of my friends had already left for college. I spent that week doing nothing but spending time with my family and friends and packing up as many articles of clothing as I could possibly bring with me. After spending nine years in the same home in Maryland with the same friends by senior year I just wanted to have a perfect last year with everyone filled with fun trips, great parties and everything else senior year was supposed to promise and then move on to bigger and better things. Not once did I feel nervous or scarred in those final months when everyone else seemed to be freaking out. My last night with my friends before I left was perfect my twelve closest friends who were still home and I all got together and spent the night talking about the past and trying to say goodbye. But even then as hard as it was the fact that I wasn’t going to be in that town everyday didn’t seem real. Not until five thirty the morning I left for college did it actually hit me. I stood in my driveway with my two parents and my dog looking at my dads truck filled with everything from my life that it could hold and I realized that wasn’t where I lived anymore, it was still my home but it wouldn’t be the place I would come back to everyday. And as I drove out of my town passing all of my friends houses and different places I had so many memories I didn’t leave with sadness or regret of going so far away but with a feeling of accomplishment. People have asked me since I came to New York if I miss home or get home sick ever and I can honestly say no. I love where I grew up it’s where I became the person I am today, where I met the friends I hope to have for life, and where I know I can always go back to. But I was ready to move on, become more independent and experience living in an entirely new and different environment that would push me forward into the future I had always dreamed of.
