Moving on

Wow. I'm really sad right now.

I have lived under the wings of my parents longer than most kids do. Okay, I've traveled to Glacier National Park and New Zealand and ski resorts in two different states. I lived in these places for months at a time. But this was always home. My room was always waiting for me just as I had left it. Mom and Dad were always ready to welcome me back home for a month or two as I prepared for my next adventure.

But this.....

....is different.

I'm really moving out. For good. I'm leaving them and I'm a little distraught. I'm not worried about making it on my own. I'm not afraid of leaving the security they provide. I do, however, love them very much. And I don't necessarily like the idea of coming home every day and not seeing them there. Some parents are hard to live with. Mine aren't. They've fed me. They've clothed me. They've loved me. They've given me everything I've ever needed and often things I've merely wanted. And I love them for it.

I'm not sad because I'm scared to be on my own. I'm sad because I'm going to miss them.

Still this is an exciting time. I'm about to start living my dream of being a broadcast journalist. I'm ready for the challenges and obstacles and highs and lows that lie ahead. I won't be that far away from Mom and Dad. I'll be able to share all of these milestones with them. I know they'll be there for me whenever I need them.

So Mom and Dad:

While I'm not saying goodbye forever, I am saying goodbye. I'm not going to thank you for all that you've done (although I do thank you). I'm not going tell you why you've been good parents (although you've been good parents). I'm just going to say that I will miss you both. I'll miss you because I genuinely love you. I'll miss you because I like being around you.

You'll be fine. I'll be fine. But I just wanted to let you know that the hardest part of this entire transition...is leaving you. You're wonderful parents. I wouldn't hate leaving so much if that wasn't the case.

I love you.

Lincoln