Yep, I’m from Maryland. I know, it sounds like I’m from a completely different planet but I promise it’s just like here! Well, sort of. 

I’m from a small town called Mount Airy in Howard County, MD. Oh, that’s another thing; they're called counties, not parishes in Maryland! I’ve lived in the same house my whole life with my parents, my big brother, and my two dogs and one cat. Because my town was so small, I was always known as “Kim’s daughter” and my mom was always “Sydney’s mom." She’s a pretty cool mom and everyone loves her. Seriously. Everyone. My dad and my brother are my best friends in the whole wide world; they are the greatest men to ever exist. 

Sometimes it’s hard being 20 hours and 1,200 miles away from home, but the hardest goodbyes are the happiest hellos. I’ve been close with my two best friends, Abby and Lauren, since the first grade. We competed in tons of talent shows together in elementary and middle school, we hung out all the time, and we spent every Christmas together. 

It was crazy to look at how fast time went by when we had our goodbye lunch for college. We’re in three different states now, but still talk every day. My other two best friends I met from dancing on the best dance team ever. Lauren, Madison and I met on our high schools dance team. We were the “Original 3." Lauren is in her senior year of high school without us and Madison stayed in Maryland for school. Definitely hard being so far away from all of your best friends and not knowing anybody here. 

All throughout high school I was always super busy playing multiple sports, dancing, and working or babysitting. I danced every single day since the age of 2 and I started playing lacrosse and field hockey in the 5th grade. I was always busy and I loved it. I quit lacrosse and field hockey in 10th grade to focus solely on dance and my dance team. I came here wanting to dance but man, those tiger girls are a dream. 

I worked at a local restaurant for almost three years and absolutely loved working there. My co-workers were my family and having your brother work with you was also super fun. On my last night at home, Ten Oaks Tavern was my last stop because I know it was going to be the hardest goodbye. It was the best job I could have ever had all through high school and the people I met while working there made my job even more enjoyable. I also loved to babysit and I had about five different families each week. I love kids and literally would spend my Friday and Saturday nights with them! 

Writing or talking about home makes me so sad, but I’m so excited to return home and get back to where I left off.