My lovely family,
Let me reintroduce myself. I am your child; the one who has been at college for a year. I have changed a lot during this year, as I'm sure you know. But what most other families forget is that a lot of change in me means a lot is about to change at home as well when I come home for the summer. We're about to have to welcome a new friend into the family. Her name is Grace.
First, not only have I learned to live on my own, I have decided that I enjoy it. Sure, there were times when it was hard and I wanted so badly to go home where things are familiar and comfortable. Since I couldn't, I now have confidence in my ability to live on my own.
Coming home for the summer is difficult. The last time I was at home, I was a high school student who still needed your watchful eye (as much as it pains me to admit it). But now, I'm not really sure where my place is. I know while I've learned to live life by myself, you have learned how to live life without me always present. It's important that we find a solution and communicate our expectations to each other. I cannot be suffocated. I don't need rules; however, I realize I am once again under your roof, and I will respect that. This is where Grace comes in: please give me grace when I push your rules too far, and I'll give you grace when you require some things of me that I have been without for a year. Let's work together to find a compromise.
Next, you have poured so much into me as I've grown. You tried to do your best for me, teaching me values and revealing the things to me that you wished had been different in your own upbringing. You had the greatest hand in making me who I am.
Now my professors, my peers, my own perceptions of our culture have been my greatest teachers. I have been confronted with many questions, and rather than only having you to go to for an answer, I have more resources at my disposal than I will ever be able to consider. As a consequence, I am able to develop my own opinions through much research and discussion.
I ask that together, we learn how to talk about these things rationally and as more of an exchange of information. Please don't think I'm pretentious and that I think my ideas are above yours simply because I have been at college. I'm excited to be learning so much, and I hope that you can be excited for me, whether or not we disagree. If anything, I hope that you see my disagreement as a challenge for you find evidence to justify why you believe what you do; we all can use that refresher every once in awhile. Please give me grace when I disagree with you or seem to act like I know everything, and I'll give you grace for the same.
Finally, I just want you to know that I love you. Even though I've seen you for holidays, I have missed you throughout the year. Little things remind me of you everyday. Some days, I am reminded of the harsh reality that I will never be under your care the same way again, and that realization takes my breath away.
Seeing you excited for me and hearing your encouragement means more to me than anyone else's. Please realize that this is hard for me too. But now I'm home for a little while, so let's figure out how to make the most of this time and our new roles in each others' lives.
You're great, and I wouldn't have traded our time together for the world.
Love always,
Your slightly more grown-up child
