I have friends who refuse to think small. They either want to travel to distant places and be bold, or stay in Atlanta to make a lasting impact. They all just continue to find opportunities that truly allow them to shine.

However, this comes with a price, and I feel like I keep losing people. I know this may seem somewhat selfish, but I hate to see them leave home. I am excited to see their journey continue, but completely heartbroken to see these wondrous people go.

The first time I experienced this loss was with my best friend. I had known Travis for five years when he moved to New York City to pursue his career as a lighting designer on the stages of Broadway. (Imagine my voice saying "stages" in a really deepened, theatrical way).

Together we had taken a road trip to move Travis to the Big Apple. The last day of my trip was painful for me though. The whole time I knew that I was flying back to Atlanta alone. The whole time I knew that the person that I had lived with for two years would not be there everyday. The whole time I was terrified that this might change everything, that I might lose someone that means so much to me.

We had stayed in Long Island the last night of my trip. The next day Travis drove me to the train with a destination for Manhattan. I said farewell to Travis with a big hug while he, per usual, showed minimal emotion and said goodbye. I boarded the train with minutes to spare and got comfortable. I put in my earphones and watched one of my favorite videos.

Flashback to the 2011 Tony Awards. Flashback to Sutton Foster winning best actress in a musical for her role in “Anything Goes”. Flashback to Sutton Foster giving her acceptance speech.

“And my dresser Julian Havard, who has been my dresser for nine years and we’ve done six shows together,” said Foster. “And he’s leaving me, next week, which is a great thing, because he’s pursuing his dream as an artist. He’s an incredible artist, he’s the world’s greatest artist and he’s moving to Cape Cod and he’s going to be amazing.”

I have heard this speech a million times. I remember watching it live. I remember watching it on my Mac getting choked up just as much as Foster had, maybe more. And now I remember watching it on the train with tears dripping down my face. I remember the pain I felt to leave him in such a big city almost all alone.

Some of you might think I am being dramatic; some of you might get it. Honestly there is no justification needed. All you need to know is that I am a very emotional person. I feel things more strongly than most people do. One might even call me sensitive.

I digress though. This summer I will be doing the same thing to my closest friends and family. I will be moving to the city with Travis for an internship program. I will be in New York for three months. I will be living another life for three months.

I think back to feeling selfish for wanting Travis, and later my dear friend Maggie, to stay in Georgia. I think back to what that feeling actually means.

However, I am at a place now where I hope my friends and family will feel a little selfish in the months ahead. I hope they feel this way because it just means they love me. It means that they want to continue our relationships in the manners that we have grown accustomed to. It means I am truly loved.