Our journey together didn’t start off easy
When I left high school, you weren’t my first choice
I was supposed to take another path
Instead I stayed in beautiful Ventura County
But, I didn’t think we’d meet again
Five years later I achieved my Associates Degree
It was then that we said hello once more
I didn’t think I would need you, but I did
I reached out and I waited to hear back
You accepted me and I was ecstatic
My life was different the second time we connected
I was older and had gone through a lot
My dreams and goals had changed
My future was heading down a different path
I knew I needed you
I was going to get far because of you
On our first day together,
I had butterflies
I was unsure of what was going to come next
You introduced me to some really great people
And I started feeling more comfortable
Some who read this,
May not know who you really are to me
They may think you’re a boy I fell in love with
They may think you’re a best friend
But you’re more than either of those
You were the school I learned to love
Cal Lutheran,
Our time together was not always easy
In fact, it was pretty hard
You kept me up at night
In both good and bad ways
In my three years with you,
We survived some crazy events
Our first year together,
We watched one wild election
I and many others weren’t happy with the results
Together we grieved for America
Our second year together,
We watched my hometown burn
The Thomas Fire destroyed Ventura
Many people I loved were greatly affected
I felt destroyed and heartbroken
How was I supposed to keep pushing?
I found it hard to worry about my studies,
When my home was going through so much
Our third and final year together,
We woke up to a tragedy that struck Thousand Oaks
Twelve innocent lives taken
The day after, another fire ravaged through California
Once again my home was being burnt to ashes
We grieved, prayed and we tried to find hope
Despite the bad,
I appreciate the time we had together
I want to remember the positive,
Not the negative
Cal Lutheran,
Without you I don’t know where I would be
You opened your arms to me
You brought me into an amazing community
You gave me lifelong friends and amazing professors
You’ve taught me so much
Not only about academics,
But about myself
Without you,
I wouldn’t have made such amazing memories,
With such beautiful people
I wouldn’t have been a part of a sisterhood,
That I cherish deeply
I wouldn’t have seen myself grow in the ways I have
And, I wouldn’t have seen myself overcome what I did
As we get closer to our goodbye,
And we start to part our ways,
I get an uneasy feeling
I’m saddened by my soon departure
A façade says I’m ready and I’m counting the days
But, on the inside I’m scared
I’m afraid to leave what I’ve known these past three years
I want you to know that I’m thankful
I’m thankful for the love you’ve graced me with,
for the opportunities you have given me,
for the steps you’ve taken to prepare me,
for the knowledge I’ve received
All in all,
I’m thankful for the experience you gave me
So on May 18, 2019,
My 26th birthday,
We will have one final hurrah together
It will not be a goodbye,
But a see you later
And I know you’ll be there
Cheering me on in my next journey at UCSB
And the years to come All Photos Courtesy of the Author