Dear Auburn,
One year ago, I was sitting in the arena, dressed in my cap and gown, waiting to receive my diploma. I had training camp only one month later, and only 3 months until I launched to India. There was so much on the horizon that I let the sweetness of the moment pass by. I’ve realized since then that I did not grieve the end of my time at Auburn as I should have.
It’s weird going on the World Race right after college. Nothing that I’m used to will be the same when I get home. When I think about home, I picture my college apartment, filled to the brim with Moroccan themed decor in every color. I still refer to Lauren as my roommate even though she’s moved and even gotten married. Every time my team has enough food budget to celebrate taco Tuesday, I think about every Taco Tuesday we had for 2 years. I think about right before dinner when we had our Delta Gamma chapter meeting. I think about the meetings and the formals and the themed socials and how that sorority brought me all of my best friends. (So many people have been enlightened on the idea of “big” and “little.”)
My last team on the Race loved listening to country music, especially when cooking. The songs brought me right back to the plains. I would think about afternoon tailgating and driving to Opelika and spring concerts. I think about walking through campus, Jordan Hare on one side and the Haley Center on the other. I think about all those times I decided what organizations I wanted to join, and even more often the times I avoided all the booths on the concourse.
When I bought a really hipster-y shirt in the market in Rwanda, I thought about how cool I would look sitting at the Bean and drinking my honey lavender latte. When I spent months teaching English, my heart went back to my cute little second graders and kindergarteners from my student teaching. When I’m in a location where we have to be more careful, I miss the freedom of throwing on my tennis shoes and going on long runs around town.
And I think it goes without saying that I miss football Saturdays. I miss waking up early and getting all dressed up. (Especially when I’m wearing the same outfit for the 4th day in a row.) I miss securing my DG button and grabbing my sunglasses as I head to the quad. I miss stuffing myself with tailgate food under the Glasgow’s white tent. I even miss standing in the sun for 4 hours before the game starts to try to get a good seat. I miss the intense videos and waving my shaker to songs and yelling the cheers. My heart swells with pride even thinking about singing the Alma Mater after the games.
I’m currently sitting in a bus on my way to Ecuador for month 10. (Actually my bus is on hour 15 of being held hostage in a riot on the coast of Peru, but that’s another story for another day. If I have WiFi to post this, then you know we eventually got released.) Month 10 is a weird place to be in because home is coming up so so soon. I’m trying to schedule teaching interviews and plan how I want to spend time with my family. I already have a hair appointment made. (You know that was going to be a priority after this year.)
As I look forward to home, I know that it will all look different. My time at Auburn has officially closed. But Auburn, you will always hold such a special place in my heart. You have turned me into a leader, one who was selected to lead 6 others around the world. You have given me my best friends, ones who faithfully email me even when I get WiFi once a week at best. I have so many stories and memories to share with my squad. I’ve even convinced two northerners that they MUST come to an Auburn football game. You have developed me into a teacher that can cross language barriers. You have helped me figure out who I am and what my purpose in this world looks like.
My home has been relocated, but you know that I’m going to take my first opportunity to hop on I-65 and head that way. I’ll see you soon.
War Eagle.
