Ever since I started school, I've painted this picture in my head of what it would be like to move away to college. All of the arguments with my mom ended in me storming away ranting about how I couldn't wait to go to college and be an adult (HAHA, adult). I've even been decorating my dorm since middle school. The countdown was set since the day I walked into my senior year and it's finally reached single digits. This is supposed to be the most exciting week of my life, and it is, but it's also been the biggest reality check.
Like your average student post graduation, I've spent the summer blind to the reality that I'm actually moving six hours away from everything my life has revolved around for the past nine years. However, today as I was shopping for my college wardrobe, I found myself wandering into the uniform section of the store. After sending out a search party to find cute uniforms in my size, it hit me: I don't need uniforms. I'm going to college. I'm going to college in five days. It was a domino effect from there and as if it didn't hit me hard enough the first time, life slapped me in the face and I realized I am going to college in five days. In five short days, I leave behind my family, friends, job, cats, fish, bed and everything else important to me. The five minute drive to my best friend's house has turned into five hours. The home cooked meals my mom attempts to make has turned into a dining hall and microwaved ramen noodles. My dream of going to college has turned into a reality.
Suddenly, I realized how much I had taken everything for granted. I realized I'm not numb to change. I realized that I am about to be as close to being out on my own as I've ever been and I can't rely on my mom to do everything for me. I have to remember to separate my whites from my darks. I have to make sure I eat healthy and not have Chick-fil-a for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I realized how much I am actually going to miss everything I couldn't wait to get away from. All of my favorite restaurants, the drive-in movie theater, the beach, even the swing bridge that only seemed to open and stop traffic when I was late for work or school. I began to miss my mom even though she was right beside me.
Don't get me wrong, I am still so excited to start this next chapter of my life. I've just finally found appreciation for the previous one. I know this isn't going to be the last time I get to see any of these people or visit any of these places and I have something to look forward to coming home for breaks. So to my place of work: thank you for being a big part of my life these past two years. Thank you for teaching me patience, responsibility, and time management. To my friends: I'll miss you guys more than you know. I can't wait to see what life throws your way. I hope that you make new friends that appreciate you just as much as I do. To my family: I'll miss you too and I love you more. And to the South Carolina heat, sayonara! Appalachian State University, here I come!
