You are, by far, the hardest goodbye.
Mom and Dad, I’ve heard you tell stories of bringing me home from the hospital for the first time. What I didn’t hear you talk about was how much sleep you lost because of me, or how you never failed to put my needs before your own for 19 years of your life. I’ve heard you talk about my kindergarten graduation and how I was so shy, I put my shirt over my face. I never heard you complain about having to take me to school and then pick me up on your way home from work every single day.
When I was five, you graciously taught me how to ride my sophisticated bike without training wheels. When I fell and scratched up my legs, you encouraged me to get back up and try again. I know it was a simple gesture only meant to help me say goodbye to those beloved training wheels on my pretty pink bike, but it meant so much more. When you constantly encouraged me, it helped me to have the mentality that I can do anything I set my mind to.
I’ve heard you talk about going to my cross country races and how you were so happy I found a sport I loved. What I didn’t hear you talk about was how you had to drop everything and leave work early to make it on time.
You both have been there for me, teaching me, supporting me, loving me for the past 19 years of my life. I know saying goodbye wasn't going to be easy, but I never expected it to be this hard.
You know that choosing to go to a school so far away was not an easy decision. But ever since then, you’ve heard me talk about how much I love the school I go to and the city I live in. But what you’ve never heard me talk about is how saying goodbye to you is the most difficult thing in the world for me to do.
You don’t see the tears fall after you shut the car door or the friends who comfort me when you just left to go home.
You are, by far, the hardest goodbye.
Knowing that it won’t be too long before I get to see you again makes it a little bit better, though. College isn't easy, leaving you wasn't easy, but seeing you is always wonderful.
Just know I always look forward to your visits, hour-long phone calls, cute text messages, handwritten letters and the thoughtful care packages. You somehow know just when to send them because it’s when I need it the most.
Even though we don’t get to see each other every single day, nothing has changed. We just have to do a little long distance relationship for a few years. No matter what, though, you will always be the hardest goodbye.
The goodbyes will never get easier, I know that. I also know that when I get to see you, it always means so much more.
You are, by far, the hardest goodbye.
