"We're moving."This is a phrase that I've heard quite often in the past few months. During my freshman year, my mom decided to not only move houses within a city, rather she decided to move states. Although it was hard at first, I have come to terms with it. This is my story of acceptance.
From a young age, I have always thought of home to be where my family is. I've always disregarded the concept that a home is just a building. If it weren't for my family, I wouldn't have a home. I wouldn't come home to people that love me for who I am, with all flaws included. I wouldn't have people that stand by my side through thick and thin and that never fail to put a smile on my face. But at the same time, how can you give up a place that has become a safe haven? It's a place that holds so many memories, good and bad. It's hard. Coming back home for a break, it felt amazing to be back in a place that was so familiar, a place that I knew I could be myself in. Why, would I ever want to give that up?
The day that my mom told me, I broke down. Sure, some of you might thing that it's so petty or something so stupid to get upset over. But honestly, it was so hard for me to get through. Let me remind you, I had to move to different states. Funny thing was, I moved states to attend college. So, literally I went from living in New Orleans, Louisiana to living in Austin, Texas and now currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina. All of this happened in a matter of a month or two. See, the reasons my mom gave me make complete sense and if I were in her shoes, I probably would have done the same. But in that moment, I couldn't see past how I felt about it. I wasn't going to be able to see my friends everyday, to have them live literally two minutes away from me. I wasn't going to be able to go out and get a snowball because that's only a New Orleans treasure. I wasn't going to be able to do anything at all because I was moving to place where I knew no one else but my family. I had to start over, from scratch. I had just gone through a similar situation earlier in the year, I had to meet people in Austin, to make friends. I didn't want to do that again. Of course, I begged my mom over and over again to not make the move, but of course she didn't budge. Let's just say I wasn't happy for quite a while.
After my emotional rollercoaster, I realized I couldn't be so negative about the move. Sure, it sucked, really bad, but thanks to some amazing friends, I realized that I needed to give Charlotte a chance. Maybe I wouldn't have my special New Orleans snowballs, but I could always go out and find my special Charlotte treasure. Of course it's going to be a hard process trying to make friends that I'm not related to and to get myself out there. But again thanks to my best friend, I realized that I could take this summer and turn it into a growing experience. I can learn to become more independent and learn how to rely on myself, which is nice to do sometimes. So, if you're in this situation, I promise you're not alone. It's going to suck for a long time. But, just give it a chance. And look at it this way, you get bragging rights. I get to say I live in three distinct, amazing cities. Who else can do that? So, be upset, but then know that everything is going to turn out great. Now go find your new little treasure.
