Dear family,
Although it has only been two weeks since I left home after spring break, I already miss you so much. I miss you when I FaceTime you and you guys are making chocolate mug cakes, with applesauce instead of butter because that’s what I always do. I miss you when I ace a test or get some good news, and want to tell you in person to see your faces and feel how proud you are in your hug. I miss you when I hear something that reminds me of one of you, and I think about how we would have laughed together if you were there.
I miss you, family, but I’m oh so thankful for all you have done in pushing me to be my best self, and for supporting all the decisions I make. From the day I finally chose to come to USC, you have embodied the spirit of the Trojan Family, from proudly wearing your USC apparel everywhere you go, to volunteering to serve on parent committees and meeting with the university president. I love waking up to a different inspirational quote each morning in our family group text, which my little brother has so fittingly named after our dog, Bella. Speaking of which, I know I look like an idiot when I’m waving frantically at the camera calling Bella’s name to get her attention, but thank you for pretending she’s talking to me.
You are all my role models, and the strongest people I know. To my parents, although you are too humble to admit it yourself, my grandmothers have told my brother and me stories of how you two were always at the top of your class. How you brought home the best grades and worked hard enough to get scholarships to get graduate degrees 10,000 miles away in the United States. It must have been so difficult to come to a completely different country all alone, but you both rose above the challenge and became some of your advisors’ best students. Today I am so proud to see you both running a company that supports over 150 families that admire and respect you two so much. Somehow with all of that, you find the time to be full-time parents, volunteering at our schools and cooking meals for us. Thinking about both of your journeys always makes my heart swell with pride, because no matter how difficult things are, you always focus on turning negatives into positives and strive for improvement in all areas of your life.
I know that we have had our fair share of disagreements, but I know that, if anything, being 300 miles away has made the bonds of our relationships stronger. I love bragging to my friends about my brother’s skills on the violin, or showing off pictures of him in his adorable speech and debate suit. Seeing his name on my phone when he actually remembers to text me back makes my day, and even if it’s yet another unintelligible string of emojis. Thank you, dear family, for being my biggest supporters, for making sure I don’t take myself too seriously, and for loving me just the way I am. I can’t wait to see you all again.
Love,
Hima
