I thought that when I went off to college I would be done with moving, however, I was wrong. This past week I helped my family move from Kentucky to Minnesota. When I was younger, I hated moving. I thought it was unfair and unnecessary. Now that I am older, I can appreciate all the sites I’ve gotten to see and the people I’ve gotten to meet. Nonetheless, the stages of moving are always the same and I’m sure every military brat can agree.

1. Denial

When you are first told you’re moving, you think it’s a joke. I can honestly say I thought my dad was lying to me a few years ago when he told us we were moving to Kentucky. I have moved so many times and yet I am still shocked when my dad announces that we are leaving again. When you first hear those harsh words, you tend to deny them.

2. Anger

Although anger isn’t as prevalent, it still happens for a brief moment. Anger is especially common when moving to an unfavorable state. For me, it was Kentucky. Not only was I happy where I was, but I also had no desire to go to a state known for horse racing.

3. Bargaining

I’m sure that every kid has tried the old stay with a friend trick. I, too, have tried to convince my parents to let me live with a friend so I didn’t have move. I had no desire to move away from California sophomore year of high school. I loved my friends, I knew where I wanted to go to college, and I just really didn’t want to go to Kentucky. I knew that being away from my parents would be hard, but I was determined to stay where I was.

4. Depression

The hardest part about moving is leaving friends behind. It feels like it takes forever to become really close to someone and as soon as you do, you’re already gone. Although military brats are used to meeting new people and making new friends, it is always scary going to a new school. Every kid can relate to the tiny ounce of fear that they won’t meet anyone like their old friends.

5. Acceptance

Eventually, after arguing and crying, every military brat becomes at peace with moving. Once reality sets in and you realize you have to move, you can start looking at the bright side. A new state means new things. It is exciting to look at houses and new schools. After your family finds a house you get to look at everything you will get to do when you move there. New stores, new people, and new experiences.

Moving is hard at first, but I am grateful for it. Military brats are tough. We move so often that we are exceptional at making friends and adjusting quickly. If we didn’t move so often, we would have missed out on so many adventures.