Dear Everyone that Stayed,
Hey! How are you doing? I hope well. Yeah, I know it's been a while. But you look like you're having a great time on Instagram and in all the Snapchats you post. I hope college is everything you hoped it would be. For me it's even more than that so I guess the point of this letter is to say I'm sorry.
I'm sorry you are stuck within 4 hours of our hometowns. I'm sorry you still see more than 10 people that you know from elementary school every day. I'm sorry that I feel so bad for you. I know you're probably off loving life and you may not even read this, but still. I'm sorry that you're stuck. Stuck in the life-y town we all call home. The town where our parents grew up, where our teachers are, where we went to all of the same hangouts. The town that has stayed the same for years, with the exception of a few remodels and a new Panera.
I know most of you aren't like me, but I could not wait to get out. To go explore the world and see what was beyond the bay and the sound. Leaving was the best decision I've ever made. Since going 9 hours away for school, I've learned so much about not only myself, but other people as well. I've been able to experience a different way of life. One that has way friendlier people and is much more slow paced. I've gotten to meet new people and hear their stories. Not saying you haven't made new friends because I know you have. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you are stuck within your comfort zone.
Going somewhere I knew no one would know me was freeing. It was a fresh start, and I could be whoever I wanted to be. I've gotten to be myself. By losing and finding myself all over again time after time. I've gotten to experience new things, like tailgates and concerts, try new foods (barbecue really is better in the south), go see new cities, just experience different things. And yes you are doing all of these things too, but you probably miss home and you'll probably go home right after graduation.
The main difference between us is that home isn't home to me anymore. It's where my parents live and where I go visit. Yes it will always be where my favorite pizza place is, and where some of my favorite memories are from but it does not compare to where I am now in the slightest. I have no intention of going back to raise my kids to go to a school their parents or their grandparents went to. I don't want to know who my kids will be friends with because I know exactly what their parents are/were like. I don't want to run into you in a grocery store anytime soon.
I hope one day we run into each other at a reunion or something and that you've loved your college experiences. I hope you love where you are right now as much as I do. I hope you get out of your comfort zone and experience everything. I hope life turns out exactly the way you want it to. I hope you're happy. But really, I hope you spread your wings and go explore, you may just fall in love. But everyone knows you'll end up back home. So, when you move into the house you grew up in, don't expect to find my name in the phone book.
Always,
The One that Left
