The Truth About Growing Up

If you’ve ever read a single blog that I’ve ever written, then you know that I love everything about my University. You also probably know a little bit about the folks that I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by here. Each of my friends has taught me something new about myself, my worldview, and even my faith. They’ve pushed me to be better and have loved me unconditionally. I am beyond blessed to call them mine. I could sit here and write all day about each individual friend that I have and how he or she has impacted my time here at Auburn, but that’d be excessive. They’ve supported me, laughed with me, laughed AT me, and they’ve even cried with me from time to time. The unfortunate truth about growing up, however, is that you can’t stay in college forever. This May, a majority of my closest friends graduated. Each of them are getting ready to start a new chapter in their lives that will be filled with new adventures, memories, and even friends. Whether they are about to start law school in Pennsylvania, flight school in Florida, medical school in Texas, or a new job in South Dakota…they are all getting ready to take a step towards the futures that they’ve all been working so hard to achieve. , I will miss each of them for different reasons when they leave.  They are each spontaneous, sassy, honest, and fiercely loyal. I don’t want any of them to leave Auburn, but this blog isn’t about what I want…it’s simply about the truth of growing up. And the truth about growing up is that there comes a time when you have to take a deep breath and say goodbye to people. It doesn't mean you don't love them or won't miss them, but part of being a friend to someone is supporting them in all of their endeavors. Words cannot even begin to express how proud I am of each of my friends. They are all going to do some incredible things with their lives. While I’m so happy for them, it doesn’t change the fact that I am going to miss them in the fall when it begins to set in that they aren’t here. I guess it’s safe to say that we’re all going our separate ways. The sad truth about growing up is that you don’t end up in the same place. I may end up in Texas, while Erin ends up in South Dakota. A lot of times, you stay friends and continue to love each other to death…but at some point life takes over and you only see each other when there’s a big wedding, or funeral. That is a sad fact of life that no one is willing to tell you. As much as I want to be the “cool aunt” to my friends’ children that they don’t yet have…I may only get to see them a few times a year at most. OR I may get to live the next town over. How am I to know where I’ll end up at this time in my life? All I know is that as I sat through their graduation it hit me that whether I am ready for it or not, life goes on. It doesn’t matter if I’m ready for this stage in my life. For instance, I am NOT ready to be 22…but alas, I will be 22 in less than a month whether I want to be or not…life doesn’t stop or slow down for anyone. It doesn’t matter if I am ready to grow up or not, it has to happen…and it is time. It’s time for me to get ready to graduate and leave this place that I love so dearly. Auburn will always be home…but it won’t always be where my permanent address is. I may not know where the Lord is going to send me next, but I do know that it’s about time for me to get ready…as for my friends that are leaving me, I will never be ready to say goodbye to them. Let’s be honest…I HATE the way that word sounds. So for that I will just refer to Jason Aldean’s song…because it pretty much just nails it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJBKw1O1eM0