Today, Friday, I am leaving Columbus for the last time before I head for Paris. This means that I won't be returning to the good ol' 614 until at least next June.
This week was full of a lot of sad goodbyes. I know that I should be excited for the adventure ahead of me, but right now it still doesn't feel real. What does feel real is that fact that I won't see so many of my great friends for such a long time. This summer has certainly been one to remember. I got a great new job and made a lot of great memories - most of which I did not have to have relayed to me the next morning.
So far, leaving Columbus is reminding me of a few things. The first is that I'm going to miss out on a lot this year. Everyone and their brother is turning 21, and I won't be here to celebrate any of it. I'll also miss what is sure to be an incredible football season. Probably more upsetting is that I'm going to miss so many people graduating this year. Wish I could be here to enjoy that time as well. Second, is that Columbus has been so good to me. I love this school more than anything, and I'm so glad the path of life has brought me here.
But for Ohio State, I would not have all of these many and incredible opportunities. Finally, I'm reminded of all the great people I have in my life. Without the people, this place wouldn't feel like home. I'll always remember long, lazy days at the pool and that night that we almost died coming back from downtown, but still blasted Defying Gravity the whole way.
So, here come a couple of teary thank yous:
- Thank you to all my new co-workers and my new friends. You've made this summer one to remember, from all the hours we spent at the Union, way too much Chipotle, and so many great stories.
- Thanks to all the girls (and Kyle) of apartment 50D for letting me crash for a few days. I wish I could have just moved in with you; you guys are fantastic.
- Endless thanks for Kat and Bethany who let me crash in the Nosk for two and half weeks! I know you didn't plan on living in a triple, but I really appreciate everything! Without you I wouldn't have been able to work until the last minute, see all of my friends, and mostly just enjoy your company! Basically, I would have missed out on a lot. You guys are the best and I owe you big time.
So right now, I'm sitting in the terminal waiting to board. A quick 50 minute flight and I'll be back in Virginia. If I'm lucky, the plane will take off to the West and we'll do a huge turnaround over the city and have to fly over campus. It would be a great final send-off.
À bientôt, Columbus
I want to go back to Ohio State
To old Columbus town,
I wanna go back,
I gotta go back,
To O-hi-o.
