This is how I felt this past Sunday when it was time for me to leave Knoxville, TN- my much loved home for the past year and a half- and head to Memphis, TN to spend my last month in the States with my mom and dad.
So, I didn’t go. I stayed another night in Knoxville with some friends.
It’s not that I wasn’t eager to see my family, it’s just that I wasn’t eager to leave my friends or the life I had created for myself in Knoxville.
I’ve come to treasure my life in Knoxville- especially the relationships I’ve cultivated there. Leaving made me contemplate all that I will miss and everyone I will miss.
Here’s a short list:
Salsa dancing every 2nd and 4th Friday
(Always winning) Game Night
The Ultimate Frisbee community
Two Rivers Church
Riding my bike with my dog through downtown- not as dangerous as it sounds
Living downtown- maybe a little more dangerous than it sounds
Early morning coffee/breakfast with friends
Game of Thrones night every Sunday
Backpacking trips with great friends
Random trips to Johnson City and surrounding areas
Really the list just goes on and on, but mostly I’m going to miss my friends- I honestly cannot express this enough. I’ve had such a wonderful time in Knoxville, and so many of these friendships still feel fresh; like they haven’t had enough time to grow into lasting friendships. This makes me incredibly sad.
Right before I left, a friend of mine said to me, “It isn’t until people move away that I’m like, ‘Oh, we should have hung out more.’ “
Well my friend, I couldn’t agree more.
So, I’m taking that piece of advice, even though it wasn’t really intended as advice, and I’m carrying it with me into this next season of life. I will make the most of my time with my parents this month, and then I will make the most of my time with all the new, wonderful friends I will make these next 11 months.
I will be vulnerable and intentional with my friendships this year. I want to grow from my new relationships, and I want to invest so much time in these people that 1 of 2 things happen:
1) I am too persistent and open thus I scare people away.
2) I am able to cultivate lifelong friendships.
I prefer #2.
The night before I left Knoxville I watched this interesting documentary about a 14 year old girl who sailed around the world by herself (Maidentrip on Netflix if you want to watch it). The girl in this documentary met interesting people along the way, and this got me thinking: I love the people I’ve met in Knoxville. I never would have met them had I not moved here. I bet there are more people like this all over the world. I will miss out on so many wonderful relationships if I am not willing to leave Knoxville to go on the WR.
As silly as this sounds, watching that documentary (it wasn’t that great, so don’t think I’m recommending it or anything) is what allowed me to release that final feeling of, “I’m not leaving,” and head home the next day. Truth be told, I might still be in Knoxville right now (provided my friend permitted a prolonged crashing on his couch) clinging to something that I released to the Lord the moment I applied to go on the WR. I have a feeling now that there are many things I released to God without even realizing it the moment I chose to follow Him. I’m interested to see what those things are these next 11 months and how I react when I realize I let them go without even realizing it.
These musings have actually brought me back to an important lesson I learned at training camp, but I’ll save that for the next blog!
Until then, everyone in Knoxville, all over TN, and all over the states, please stay in touch! While I’m interested in investing in my new friendships, I want to continue investing in the friendships I already have and cherish. So shoot me an email while I’m gone, write me a FB message, tag me in something that will make me laugh or cry (preferable laugh), and update me on Your Life! I’m not the only one doing exciting things this year, so I want to hear all about your adventures while I’m living my own.
Much love to you all!
