“Its not goodbye, its see you later.” “Don’t forget about me.” “Good luck this year.” *Cues “See you again” by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa.
The amount of times this has happened over the span of the last month is unfathomable. Each goodbye has been really dramatic like straight out of Fast and Furious when Paul walker splits off from Vin Diesel. Some goodbyes have been a lot harder then I expected. A couple of the goodbyes had me down for days. I didn’t want to do anything on these days except sleep and watch Netflix. Some of the goodbyes had me extremely sad, reminiscing on all the good memories and moments together. But the one thing that all of the goodbyes have had in common is that they all have put me in a state of thankfulness. I am so thankful to have friends and family that make it so hard to want to leave. I think my sadness is a testament to the joy God has blessed me with. Where he gave me such amazing friends and family. Its was a blessing to grow up with the same friends since 3rd grade. And its in my honor that I get to call these people bruddas for life (ya get it if ya real).
One point of emphasis for my blogs is that I want you to understand where I am going in my relationship with God. But in order to understand where I am going, you need to first understand where I come from and who I am today. More specifically, the people in my life who have shaped me, encouraged me and lifted me up. And its through these people, that constantly point me to Christ, that I am able to go on the World Race. So I want to go through each of them and give them a little shoutout.
Christian Parana
You are so full of grace, you are humble, compassionate, caring. I see Jesus in you, the way you love on others. You have always been by my side, pointing me to Christ, giving me encouragement, and pushing me to love on others the way you do. Thank you for your years of friendship. For always loving on me. Thank you for teaching me what it means to be humble. I’ll miss you tremendously. You a Dawg.
Matt Hardmon
Haha I don’t even know where to begin for you. I’ll just say two words “Gentle Giant”. You have always tried to intimidate me (like the time you pushed me into the door handle in 6th grade), but I’ve always known under all that fluff is a giant teddy bear. Someone who always cares for others when no one is watching. Who doesn’t mind helping others needs before your own. I see Jesus in you, the way you care for the outcast. How you have the military mindset of “no man left behind”. Thank you for being like an older brother who always protects and watches over me. Go kill it in the air force.
Colin Nguyen
Some of my greatest memories in high school was literally just you and I cranking some random music and dancing. It could have “Tunak Tunak Tun”, “Why don’t we just dance” or “Rubbin off the Paint”, but we always found a way to have fun in each others company. What I love about our friendship is how different we are. Your way more street smart and I’m more book smart. We have such different goals and aspirations, but somehow it all just makes it click. We balance each other. It’s been a pleasure watching you grow into who you are. Love you boo boo.
Saeed Asghar
Saeed, one of the best traits of our friendship is that we are pretty much brothers. I have always been so comfortable with you and your family. I have my own room, we can share the same things, and I can pretty much barge in your house whenever I want. I think our brotherhood starts with the unbreakable trust we have in each other. I trust you with my life. So thank you for all the great memories and to many more in the future.
Alex Marquess
Alex, one thing I credit you is for bringing out a new side in me: My country side. Whether is was trucking down the country back roads of Virginia, fishing in the Shenandoah, or listening to Garth Brooks on repeat, you have brought out a lighter side of me. Thank you for always encouraging me in my faith and challenging me to seek out more. I’ll miss our conversations about faith, going to meet Giga and Bill, and all the laughters in between. Good luck this year bud!
Jared Brennan
I think one of the most pure things from our time as friends and something I will never forget was our Tuesday afternoon walks through the Poplar Tree path in middle school. It didn’t matter the weather or how busy we were, we always made time to just live in each others presence and talk about anything: religion, struggles, our future plans. You have such a sweet heart with pure intentions. I challenge you to live in your moment and to love yourself as much as you love others. I’ll miss you my guy.
Marcelo Coray
One thing that has encouraged me over the years is your integrity. How you always serve people when no one is looking. You are like my older brother in the way you never let anything bad happen to me. I know you always have my back. Your care/love for serving others has been something I look up to. I love you man. Gonna miss jamming to Daniel Caesar with you.
Austin Coose
Austin, your humor is something that lightens me up. It doesn’t matter when it is, your jokes always have a way of making me die laughing. Thank you for showing me a lighter side of life and having a simple/stress free life. Good luck this year at CNU.
Ethan Lewe
I’ll never forget the feeling. Time kind of had a way of slowing down. But when we had to say our final goodbye at the parking lot of JMU, I felt the most vulnerable that I have ever felt. I didn’t think I was going to cry, but when we embraced for a final goodbye, I became a mess. For me, its not that I was sad that I wouldn’t see you again, but that, in your arms, I felt safe, secured, loved. And I wept because I felt so loved and so protected and letting go felt like letting go of my big bros protection. But Ethan, I can’t even began to explain the great love I have for you. Its a problem for me cause I get a tingling in my stomach when I hear your name. I have always wanted the best for you bro. You have showed me so much on being a man and have challenged me to always want more for my life. Thanks for paving a path for me and loving on me unconditionally. Go live it up at USC. Go Gamecocks!
Mom and Dad
I am honestly so thankful for you guys sacrificing everything for me just to have an opportunity in life. You give me unconditional love out of the kindness of your heart. You put your children before yourself. I hope one day I can learn what true sacrifice means to the level that you guys have exemplified. Thank you for showing me Jesus and raising me in an environment that I can succeed. Thank you for being such great servants. I’ll miss you guys greatly and the love that I have always felt with you guys. I owe everything to you guys for the person I am today.
I wouldn’t change anything about my childhood, but now its time to move into this next phase of my life. I’ll be keeping you guys updated about my time in Ecuador!!!
