Recognitions!

A week from today I will get on plane and say goodbye to my lovely Wisconsin. A week from today this adventure begins.

It's been a jam-packed summer that started with nannying and then filled in with glorious family and friend time, bringing me to and fro from Madison, to Milwaukee, to Crystal Lake and even Door County!

One thing that didn't occupy a huge amount of my time was fundraising for my YAV year! Thanks to the true generosity of so many, I easily and quickly reached my goal! I am in awe of how easily so many of you lent your resources to make this dream possible. I dedicate my work in Zambia to all of you, hoping I can live up to the acts of goodness you showed me with your support! If you still want to donate, please do! YAV is an amazing organization that is supporting young people changing the world everyday. Even consider making the organization a regular charity you support!

I'm sitting here in my Madison studio apartment, stripped bare, left with only boxes, an empty bookshelf, two mattresses on the floor, and empty hangers in the closet. Since last Sunday, I have slowly packed away my life into boxes and then vans. This includes my own stuff, but also my boyfriend, Dylan's, and our respective roommates.  It's been a great excuse to spend time with each other and I am wholeheartedly happy to help but, I can't ignore the gnawing feelings of sadness and loss this process has brought. Each box I carry out to the car symbolizes my friends and I moving on with our lives and out of Madison. The soreness in my arms reminds me that change is upon me. And I am sad!

Now, I am so thankful for and excited about my year in Zambia! I am! I am! I am! And I will live into all the opportunities starting next week Monday! But I want to take a few moments to recognize what I am leaving behind. Because I love you all! I am going to miss you all! And I want to wish you the best!

First, my awesome, amazing, coolest dude on the planet little bro is starting HIGH SCHOOL! He is now 5'11", folks, and I just hope I recognize him when I get home next July! People are betting he'll be taller than me by then, but we'll see…(I've always maintained that the big sister will remain on top, but alas, his doctor doesn't agree…she says he'll be 6'3"…) I wish him the best as he starts marching band (a year early in the advanced band), tries out volleyball, and then decides between basketball, track, tennis, and whatever high school opportunities he may find! Live it up, lil man! I love you! You better send me homecoming pics!!

Next, if you didn't know, I fell in love with this one-of-kind, caring, goofy, hardworking guy named Dylan Rounds over a year ago.  I am scared and excited about what this next year has in store for us. Dylan has been so supportive of my wish to serve abroad that many times over this past year, I've thought, no way, this guys is too awesome, I should just stay here. But the itch to go remained, and Dylan says he's not going to be the guy to hold me back. So here I go. Across the world. And I am just hoping and praying that we take this year as gift to learn more about who we are as individuals, while still remaining connected. I want to stretch my muscles of adventure, but I do very much, so very much hope, that the same guy who won't hold me back today, will hold me again in a year! And I can hold him!

Last but certainly not least, I've got the most supportive parents a girl could ask for; I've got a brother and sister in law who have just started a new life in Colorado; I've got grandparents who I will miss terribly; I have friends moving in NYC for grad school; friends moving in together; friends working full time at new "real person" jobs; a cousin living on her own on Milwaukee's east side, friends doing Americorps and second years at internships; more cousins, aunts and uncles; so many people near and far! I want you all to know I love you and I will miss you!