I’ve been through a couple moves in my life, the move to a boarding school in the middle of my high school years, and the move I made to Indiana for college, from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. So, that means, I’ve spent portions of my life in three separate, very different places. In these places, I’ve met very different people. Growing up in small town, Saskatchewan, I had friends who I’ve known since kindergarten, ones who I have fond memories of playing on the monkey bars, playing ‘Grounders’ at recess with and having lunch time conversations I will never forget. These friends got lost along the way when I moved in my 10th grade year. I wasn’t home as often, they made new friends and so did I. Next, I went to a boarding school, the friends I made there, were such quality individuals, who came from all over Canada. But when school ended, those friends all went away. I would try to get together with some of these friends during summers, but I was often training for basketball, or working a summer job. It just seemed to be such a hassle trying to find time for everything I needed to do, and also work with the schedule of whoever I was trying to see.
Next in my journey, I went to Indiana, and I can’t begin to explain the people that I met there and the impact they had on my life. My basketball team introduced me to how a team should be, working together, and working as a family. I had many people who I looked up to on that team, so many of my teammates were such great examples for how to live life. My roommate was my first real friend at school, we were so similar and I will forever be grateful to her for allowing me to be myself, and allow an environment where I wasn’t shy to new experiences. I found great friends in my major who I ended up doing homework with and taking classes with. Finally, I found some great friends through the Christian ministry at my school. These people cared so much and I could tell how sincere they were about wanting a friendship with me. It was great to feel accepted by all these people, while I was being myself. I felt at home.
Unfortunately, after 8 great months with these great people, I had to go back home. Four months away from the people I would now call family. It was one of the hardest things I had to do. I bawled at the airport knowing that my summer would consist of trying to stay in touch with those people. I thought that they would just forget about me. It’s so easy for them to see their friends from college and their friends at home and forget about the little Canadian who they hung out with in college. But, I was proven wrong. Even though I don’t speak with them as much as I want to these people continue to seek out a friendship with me, check in about my job, how I was doing with my recovery process with my knee and also just genuinely care about my well-being.
Now that I’m going back to my new home in less than 2 weeks, I reflect, these friendships I’ve made throughout the years, wherever they are from have shaped me into the person I have become. I am so lucky to have such caring people in my life. It breaks my heart to know that some of these friendships have faded. But I want every single one of my friends to know, whether we speak once a week, once a month, once a year, or we haven’t spoken since elementary school, high school or college, I will always be here for you. I understand everything that you did for me, and even if I don’t check in often enough, I care so much for you and all I want is good for you. I want to thank you, for everything. Words cannot describe your impact on my life. Please know, that if you’re ever in need, I will be a shoulder to cry on, a secret keeper, an advice giver, or just a friend. I will be here for whatever you need because you are so special and I was and am so lucky to have you in my life.
