I call you guys almost every day. Sometimes I call three times a day, and I worry that’s too many. I hear that my friends only call theirs once or twice a week, so I don’t bring up the fact I called you twice this morning and have been texting you on and off all day.
Sometimes it’s a “hey, what cha up to today?”, but sometimes it’s more than that. You’re always there. You’re a familiar voice when I’m lost or lonely. I’ve hit numerous breaking points since coming here, but somehow by the end of our conversations I’ve forgotten what I was even worried about.
Despite the numerous times we talk on the phone, I feel like that’s not enough to describe how thankful I am. It’s not hard to disregard how important someone is to you when they’re always there, so it’s now that I’m finally realizing it.
The “Honeymoon Phase”
I wanted time to pass quicker. Each day couldn’t have dragged on longer. Nothing made me more excited than to check items off my packing list. All of my friends were excited to head back to school, so I thought “I should be excited too!”. I was. When we finally arrived I couldn’t help but be excited to get to know my new team and design my dorm just like those dorms I saw on Pinterest.
This wave of newness lasted about a month. It was in this “Honeymoon Phase” (of a new place, new people, new classes, new responsibilities) that I only called about three times. Then the newness wore off, and there was nothing I wanted more than to be home.
My Home-Sickness
Before I knew it, I was calling constantly with tears in my eyes because I couldn’t bare the thought of not seeing you. You assured me that before I knew it you would see me, but those two weeks felt like eternity. You raised my spirits and put everything into perspective. It was like I was sitting right next to you.
512 miles away. That’s a lot, but you traveled them anyway.
My sporting competitions aren’t closer than 6 hours away, but you don’t mind dropping everything you have going on to attend. You’ve gone to more events than my teammates’ parents and they live in the same state. No one here can believe it when I list off all the family I have coming to cheer me on. The support is remarkable.
You solved every obstacle that came my way
Whether it was drama with my roommate, being injured and not being able to do the sport I love, challenging classes, or confusion about what the next step in my journey would be, together we conquered them like all those times before. Your advice means the world to me.
Mom and Dad, you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone and this time apart has taught me that. I see the backgrounds other people here at college have come from and I’m so grateful that I was brought up the way I was. I’m grateful you raised us by the water and made sure sports were a major part of our lives. I’m grateful you gave us a big family that knows how to laugh and have fun. Lastly, I’m grateful you taught us who Jesus is.
So, forgive me for all those times I told you I couldn’t wait to get out of the house. It’s you who made me who I am and I’m finally starting to really like that person.
I’ll call you tomorrow.
