When reflecting on the past few years of my life, I am in awe of how much has happened in such little time. Looking back on the past is a weird, yet oddly addictive feeling. I can’t even begin to describe it, but it’s somewhere along the lines of a mixture of nostalgia, relief, melancholy and most of all, love. This love travels deep within me, lighting a spark of warmth in every tinge of sadness that this time of year brings.

Last week, I graduated from high school. I put on my bright maroon cap and gown, shook hands with my principal and proudly carried home a diploma with my name on it. The best yet most challenging journey of my life thus far just came to a close, and a new journey awaits 683 miles away from home. All I have to do is to wrap up my memories and turn the page to a new chapter. But moving on is easier said than done.

In the span of four years, I have grown more than I could have ever imagined. I’m still the same me that I’ve always been, but I’ve improved significantly in terms of confidence and happiness over the years. I’ve also come to love and appreciate the world around me to a higher caliber than I ever have before. The most important lesson that high school taught me wasn’t on how to take derivatives or analyze a text. It was actually a lesson about myself.

The biggest thing that I’ve learned over these past few years is how deserving I am of the love that is presented to me, both from others and from myself. If I could go back in time and tell myself that I deserve everything I have, and get myself to truly believe it, I would. But it was the experiences along the way that taught me how important believing in myself was, and for this, I am extremely happy with the way that everything turned out in the end.

My family, my friends and my writing are what I have to thank most for getting me to where I am today.

To my family, thank you for being the best support system I could have ever imagined having. You are the sole reason for my success, and I hope you know how much I love you even though I don't tell you as much as I should.

To my friends, thank you for inspiring me every single day. You are all so insanely humble, kind, talented and beautiful, and I feel so lucky to be a part of your lives. Thank you for being a part of mine.

And to writing, especially my Odyssey community, thank you for giving me the ability to do what I love every day alongside my amazing family of creators. Writing for Odyssey has helped me step out of my comfort zone, gain leadership experience and form strong bonds with my other fellow writers that I know will persist. I will miss you all more than you could ever know.

So yes, moving on is definitely easier said than done. As I pack up the remnants of my childhood and enter a new stage in my life, I can't help but hold the beautiful moments of nostalgia, relief, melancholy and love that I am feeling for a little while longer. A few months ago, I wrote down a line that I keep close to my heart as I say my final goodbyes.

Maybe the most important part of growing up is knowing that even if you don't get to experience ever again the memories you have cherished in the past, they will always exist in your mind.

Thank you for having me, Odyssey. All my love.