My birthdays usually start out with spending time with family and friends. So, I’m not saying that the world race people are not my friends. Its different when you’re back home with familiar faces and familiar friends than being in a country when you don’t know the culture or where to go, and being surrounded by people that you’re just getting to know. Although I’ve been getting really close to my teammates and they’ve been awesome and good to me, we are still on the beginning of our journey together.
I knew my birthday would fall on debrief, so I wasn’t expecting anything. I had already told my team that we would do something fun together afterwards. The day of my birthday was a relaxing day and I had no clue that my team, Arete, was planning something.
While I was trying to make a Skype call to my parents, Katherine, a squad mate, came over randomly sitting on me and throwing notes in the air.
These notes were given to me by all 52 members on the squad. These encouraging notes made me feel special because I was far away from home, from family and friends. These people are my family. These people are my friends. I am loved by them. A part of me was getting homesick. Reading those notes brought joy to my heart and a realization that these are the people I will know and love for the rest of my life.
SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
