Who / where

"Don't forget who you are or where you come from" 

my dad gave me this bit of wisdom under the 5am atlanta sunrise as we neared the airport. 

I can't help but to think back to those words as I sit looking out the airport window. This will be my mantra for the summer. My stomach is churning with a mix of nerves and exciment. My heart is swollen with the happiness of new adventures and the ache of leaving my family behind. there's a lot to process, and I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to do it just yet. 

I think I can safely say the worst part of the entire trip has already happened. Saying goodbye to my parents was unbearable. I would gladly take a hundred flight delays, a summer of horrible weather, and every other travel nightmare to keep from having to do that again. I can't wait to call my mom on my next layover... Independent adults do that, right?

the plane ride will be full of naps and music. possibly tears. I have many little notes to read from people dear to my heart. I even have a movie to watch (and watch again- thank you em). Experiencing this many emotions from 30,000 ft up will be rather interesting.

HOLY MOLY IM GOING TO INDIA !!!!!! (!!!!!!) 

t-minus 15 minutes 

put off saying goodbye to my parents until the very last second :(

* I wrote this before arriving at Chicago for my layover (I'm only just now posting it), and oh boy, do I have a story about my Chicago layover. Be on the lookout, Updates to come.