Dear Adventure,
The most restless nights as a kid were those that separated me from the most anticipated of days. The nights before the first day of school, Christmas and birthdays were seldom filled with peaceful dreaming; they were dominated by tossing and turning until it was acceptable to be out of bed. I thought that I had become too old for this phenomena. Yet, as I’ve grown older I’ve found this feeling again. Each night before a grand adventure awaits I find myself as sleepless as a five year old waiting to run downstairs on Christmas morning. For a while I was frustrated, wanting to sleep before taking you on. Now I realize that this is happening because I am madly in love with you.
I cannot sleep before Adventure because I love what you promise and it is impossible to bare another minute that separates us. I want to rip into your gifts like a child tears into the toy they’ve waited for all year. I want to meet new individuals that come along with you. The type of people that can teach you more than a school teacher ever could. This passion for you has developed with time and experience.
The first time we met, when our story began, I was five years old. I was going to summer camp and we were bound to meet. I spent years after this flirting with you; taking classes that pushed me outside of my comfort zone, running around with new friends. I would say that we began our relationship as acquaintances because I was not ready to fully commit to you, fear held me back.
Our relationship took the next step when the mountains of the Pacific Northwest were calling and I had to go. I left my comfort zone in the dust, finding myself spending a summer sleeping in a tent instead of a cabin. I was surrounded by you and I fell in love.
You encouraged me to try things that fostered my growth. You demanded that I jump away from my comfort zone. In doing so I was able to leave behind hesitation and passivity. The challenges that you threw at me taught me responsibility and to never give up. You taught me strength, persistence and gave me confidence with each literal mountain that you tossed in front of me. The promise of encountering you fills me with joy and excitement. Each time we interact you have a new lesson to offer whether it be a new perspective or an entirely new life philosophy. You have unfailingly created a slightly different but always better me after every meeting we have.
The reason I cannot sleep each night before we meet, Adventure, is because of the promise you represent. I know that the experience you give me will be challenging, incredible and unique and I love you for it.
Love,
Adventurer