On January 25th, 2016 I moved out of Tennessee for the first time. I left all my friends and family and every comfort I ever had to move to Orlando, Florida all by myself to experience the Disney College Program.
I lived in Orlando for five months, and although I was overjoyed to come back to Tennessee, I learned something on this little adventure of mine-- that home is not a place you grew up, or even a place filled with people you've known since you were three years old. Home isn't a place at all, it is you. No matter where you go you can make a place feel like home.
When I came back to the place I grew up as a child it felt strange and unfamiliar. See its a funny thing coming back to the place you called "home" for so long after being gone. Everything seems to look the same and feels the same and then you start to realize what's changed about "home" is you. I will never be completely at that childhood home again. I think thats because part of my heart will always be elsewhere too. Thats the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place. However, when home becomes you, no matter where you travel or stray you will feel happy and safe.
All because of the Disney College Program I have changed how I think about my life and how I live it. I use to have a perfect plan for my life; A classic plan to stay and live in one place with my beautiful little family. But now I'm not sure what I'll do - all I know is that I want to go places and met new people. I want to learn new things. I want my mind to grow. God blessed me with the opportunity to start over in a brand new place for a little bit and I have never been more thankful for anything more. I believe F. Scott Fitzgerald says it perfectly, "for what it's worth.. it's never too late, or in my case to early, to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you, I hope you feel things you have never felt before. I hope you meet people who have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you are proud of, and if you're not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again." Thank you Disney for teaching me what home really is and for giving me the courage to be who ever I want to be. Those five months were nothing short of incredible; I will always remember these memories and lessons I learned during my time in the Disney College Program.
I am homesick for places I have never known and I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for my wonderful life.
