Moving Out, Moving On

I moved Thursday.  I spent about 8 hours packing and cleaning with Haley, so I didn't have much time to think, but as I was driving away I was hit with all the emotions that accompany moving for me.  Excitement at a new beginning and for a little structure.  Sadness that I won't be with those awesome girls as much anymore.  Happiness at all the memories we made this summer.  Disbelief at how many things can change in a single moment.

This summer has been amazing.  I didn't go into it all that excited.  Last summer, the best parts about being in Provo were school, Kate, Jessica, and Anne.  Overall, it just wasn't a good experience.  But this summer was light years different.  I feel like I've had so many experiences that have changed my life.  I've learned so much about myself, my priorities, and my relationships with people.  And I'm sad to be leaving this stage of my life, even if it only lasted a few months.

 By Keyla Rodriguez

Haley and I have become good friends this summer and I'm so grateful for that.  It truly has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have lived with 3 of the Beckstrand girls, and Haley is definitely no exception despite the fact that we lived together the shortest period of time.  She has helped me through everything this summer.  Somehow she seemed to intuitively know how I was feeling and what I needed, a gift that she applies to all of her friends.  And her honesty in expressing her feelings is inspiring to me.  She's strong willed and so loyal to her friends it is almost ridiculous sometimes.   

By Ti Leaf Photography

Karen brought so much fun and laughter into the summer.  She works so hard, but plays even harder.  She was always willing to be there for any of us when we needed it, even going so far as to offer to beat up by ex-boyfriend and help turn me into a lesbian if that was what I needed to help me feel better. (Don't worry, I didn't take her up on either offer).  Some of the best moments this summer though have been the late, late night talks in which tears were the prominent thing, not laughter.  She's an incredible person with an optimism that can't be beat.  And the adventures she and Anne planned for us were just what we needed.

By Ti Leaf Photography

Anne has been the most influential in helping me discover myself this summer.  The nights we laid in bed bearing our souls and asking each other thought provoking questions are ones that have truly changed my life.  She knows me better than almost anyone and knows how to make me laugh, smile, and cry.  She's incredibly smart and hard working and has pushed me to be better everyday.  She's also taught me that I have to take risks in life to get what I want.  Anne never put me in a box; she let me define myself and redefine myself everyday.  And in doing so I came to know and understand myself. 

This summer was a once-in-a-lifetime summer.  Somewhere between the roommate dinners, trips to the pool, random adventures, sleepovers in the living room, late night talks, and countless movies these girls became some of my best friends.  Thank you girls for being so amazing!  This was a summer I will never forget.