Before beginning my experience as a first year college student, I knew I wanted to pursue an education far away from home. Although this has been the greatest and absolute best choice I could have ever made for myself, it has also been the hardest. Purposefully choosing to move exactly 1,820.9 miles from my family in sunny Southern California to the corn fields of Iowa has been a blessing, and a curse. I am growing as an individual, dictating my own path, and learning to be strong and self-sufficient in my weakest and most needy moments, but at the end of the day, nothing beats the warmth only a family can provide.
Yes, the distance has been challenging for me, but I cannot even imagine the toll this past school year has taken on my family. So, Mom, Dad and JJ, thank you. Thank you for spending the time and money to ship me around the country and visit colleges, while being well aware of the fact you would lose me to one of them some day. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams miles away from home and for spending family holidays one member short. Thank you for understanding why I cannot call you back or reply to your texts all the time, but for continuing to call and text me, regardless. Thank you for always reminding me of God’s greater plan and for praying to Him about my struggles. Thank you for the virtual good morning hugs, goodnight kisses, and pre-test and game pep-talks I have taken for granted throughout my life. Most importantly, thank you for showing me strength and courage, even when you are lacking it, too.
There are many lessons to be learned by moving away from home and growing outside of my childhood bubble, but my favorite realization is what family truly means to me. Of course, family means love, support, and encouragement in all that I do, but it is the little things in life that leave the largest impression. I miss coming come from a hard day of school and being able to collapse in the arms of my mom and cry about a bad test grade. I miss running miles upon miles beside my bike-riding dad until it was late into the night and the street lights flickered at me, telling me to call it a day. I miss seeing my brother get ready for his 100th date with his long-time girlfriend, yet still frantic and nervous about his matching outfit, as if it was their first time out together.
I have chosen my dreams and aspirations over spending the next four years within reach of the people I love, and I cannot express my gratitude enough for their understanding of my selfish heart. While college has given me so much, it has simultaneously taken me away from the people who made my collegiate experience possible in the first place. So thank you, family, for giving your little girl to the world with the upmost trust and confidence in her to take it by storm. Although the days are long and the months are hard, I promise you distance only makes the heart grow fonder and the strength of our love is greater than the number of miles between us.
Dedicated to Beth, Jeff and JJ Holen
