Fall is right around the corner, and with fall comes a new school year. But some of us aren't starting this year walking the familiar hometown high school hallways; instead, we'll be in a new town, new school, with new people, and new priorities. The transition from high school to college is major, and we students aren't the only ones affected. Our parents have a lot to adjust to as well. They survived the emotional roller coaster that is watching their child walk across the graduation stage, and now they're expected to just help us pack our bags and leave?
To my biggest supporters,
Thank you for the past 18 years. No matter how old I get, I'll always miss you telling me to have a good day when I walk out the door for school and the hugs goodnight. From the terrible two's, to the awkward middle school stage, and then becoming a rebellious teenager, you guys have stayed constant in wanting the best for me. Thank you for not always giving me what I wanted, because I didn't turn out to be a completely spoiled brat. Thank you for knowing which boys were bad news, and then still letting me cry when I was too stubborn to listen. Thank you for believing in me when I thought I wanted to be a movie star, even though it wasn't really going to happen. I'm sorry for all of the snide "I can't wait to get out of this house" remarks; I didn't mean a single one. To be honest, coming face-to-face with the moment I've been waiting for my whole life—moving out—is a lot more bizarre than I thought it would be. But I've been raised by the best, and you have nothing to worry about. The real world won't get the best of me.
Believe it or not, I am going to school to learn. You can rest well at night knowing that you raised me the right way. I'm not going to college for the partying and skipping class. Sure, I'm a little more excited about Greek life and college baseball games than I am about sitting through endless lectures and writing research papers. This doesn't mean that I won't take my classes seriously. Throughout the years, I've had dozens of different answers to the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Now, I finally have a definite answer. I want to be a columnist. I can't wait to be be taught the skills I need to fulfill my dream. I want to be successful and one day have the job I am passionate about. My current goal is my degree, and no distraction is big enough to take my eyes off the prize. You will see me in a cap and gown again in four years, and I'll pull as many all-night study sessions as I have to in order to keep that promise.
This isn't a good-bye. I know dropping me off at college will be hard, but moving into a dorm room doesn't mean I will cease to exist. Stop worrying about what you're going to do without me because I am still your little girl, and I always will be. Merriam-Webster dictionary definitions the word homesick as, "longing for home and family while absent from them," and it's no secret that I'll be a victim. A campus will never be home because home is where your family is. So be prepared for random phone calls and visits just because I miss you. Also, keep in mind, that I'll be back for the holidays. I'm sure that a week into Christmas vacation, I'll be unintentionally driving you up the walls once again, so enjoy your peace and quiet while you can.
With love,
Your Daughter
