School is out, the days are longer, we’re sweating a lot more, I believe that means it’s definitely summer! I don’t know about you, but I love summer. I might prefer the cold and prefer not to sweat while I eat, but hey, nothing beats outdoor activities and spending time with friends!
This summer is going to be a very special, adventurous, and difficult summer for me (I’ll get to that in a sec). I am planning so many trips and excursions that no one knows where I’m going to be unless it’s their weekend to chaperone me on our trip (because let’s be honest I should probably be monitored pretty closely). So far this summer, I already have traveled to Texas and Miami and probably have been away from home more often than I’ve actually been home. Coming up, I have road trips planned out to Pittsburgh and up to Minnesota, weddings to go to, an Impractical Jokers live event to attend, family reunions to enjoy, and some going away parties to feel bittersweet about. That’s where the difficult part comes in.
See I have lived in Indiana for 25 years of my life, and in August I will be venturing down to Dallas, Texas, to begin my 5-year journey to become a psychologist. I will be embarking on a rigorous path to earn a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Texas. I am thrilled about this opportunity, but it’s going to be difficult to leave family and friends to whom I am closest. So, I’m making a point for this summer to be jam-packed with visiting friends and family for one last time before I move, traveling across the states, and obviously some late-night and impromptu Taco Bell runs.
Lots of tears will be shed this summer. Tears of joy, tears of laughter, tears of sorrow. But that’s okay, because at least for me, experiencing all of these emotions is what brings me life. But before I have to say goodbye, you know dang well I’m stayin’ up all night playing euchre (those of you not from Indiana, it’s the best card game in the world. Let me know if you want me to teach you). And you can take it to the bank that my car’s gettin’ its miles in. This summer is filled to the brim with excitement, and I’m going to experience a lot of lasts. But if you ask me, the lasts often are the bests. Those are where I make memories, and those are what I cherish.
Here’s to Summer 2017. It’s going to be one for the books.