I’ve been hearing that a lot these past few days. Ever since Friday it seems like most of my time has been spent saying goodbye to everyone around me. By the end of the day I’m usually tired and I haven’t been feeling much like blogging lately. Mostly I think it’s because I don’t want to spend much time thinking about things. It’s funny, I haven’t cried in front of anyone. Through all the goodbyes and hugs and gifts and well wishers my eyes have remained bone dry, a hectic but coddling smile plastered across my face.

Yes, I’m excited.
Yes, I’ll be sure to keep in touch.
Yes, I’ll be back to visit in July and I’d be happy to get together then.

And that’s all true. Today I had lunch with Cheeto and her family and it was so nice. I love spending time with the whole family. They are kind, generous, loving people and I look forward to keeping in touch with them. Same goes for Squirt’s family and Gruff ‘n’ Bravo’s family. I’m just not getting very emotional. Normal people would get emotional right?? Sometimes I forget how prone I am to bottling up my feelings. The only time I cry is when I’m alone. All weekend I stayed up late, waiting for my parents to go to sleep, avoiding my room and curling up in my second favorite spot in my parents’ house: my dad’s recliner in the family room to watch some old tv shows that I won’t be able to see when I leave. I look around and think about how none of it will be anywhere close to where I am. I watch Rex curl up and fall asleep on my bed and realize I won’t see him again for almost a year. That’s when I cry; when I think about how much I’ll miss my cat.

And as for my “new” life?

I’m ready already.

Right now, with everyone saying goodbye it feels like a wake here in the U.S.

And I know I have a wonderful man waiting for me across the Atlantic, along with a home, a different lifestyle and a lot of love.

And those are some important things to live for.