I’ve never been great a goodbyes. To be honest I always tend to avoid as much as I can. Last night I had to say goodbye to pretty much everyone I met during the summer. These people became my only family in the 8 months I was in Colorado. I had grown accustomed to them, trusted them and even cared for them. Leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my 25 years of life because for the first time in many years I truly felt like I belonged somewhere. I wasn’t an outcast but an actual member of their group. They were there for me during my bad times and were still there for me all the way to the end and that’s what friendships are all about, right?
For days I tried to avoid saying my goodbyes to all of them. It would have been easier to just go without telling them anything but then I would have probably ended up as an asshole and they deserve better. So last night some of us met up and local spot in Vail and shared one last hang out together. It was full of so bittersweet and yet so full of laughter and joy. For a moment it honestly felt like time stood still and we were all just stuck in that never ending moment which I wish had lasted longer. After the many hugs, tears of our final goodbyes I headed home and finished packing. I laid on the floor for at least two more hours just reminiscing about my time in Colorado. I remembered how out of place and lost I felt in the beginning and how each week that feeling started changing. I was leaving my family again, and it hurt. Tears started coming out but they weren’t sad tears, but tears of joy. These people accomplished something that not many have, which was become part of my life.
As I’m on my way to the airport I take one last look at Colorado with a smile in my face. It was here where I learned a lot, where I grew, where I faced fears but most importantly where I learned what true friendship was. I hope that wherever life takes all of them will be full of success and happiness. Maybe it’s not really goodbye but see you later. Well plane is about to leave so thanks for reading.