A lot has changed since you turned 18 and walked on to Georgia State’s downtown campus with braids in your hair, glasses on your eyes, and a heart full of hope.
Let’s travel back together, shall we? You’re 18. You have 4 years to make a mark on the city that you’ve been longing for. You’re itching to get away from mom + dad, Miami, and the familiarity that’s fostered you for your entire life. You’re excited to experience new people, places, triumphs and losses in the town you think is the perfect place for you.
The way you strutted into Piedmont Central in August of 2016 was honestly epic. You dove headfirst, talking to literally any and everyone, sharing where you were from (some people couldn’t believe it), imagining all the adventures Atlanta would bring you, praying for a solid group of college BFFs (more on that later) and you just swore you and that boy were going to get hitched as soon as you walked the graduation stage in May.
Well darlin’, part of those plans came true and part of them didn’t. Your college experience in ATL wasn’t perfect and thank God it wasn’t because it taught you grit, it taught you honesty, it taught you how to support and fend for yourself. It did bring you your favorite people, an odd obsession with peaches and now you say “hey y’all” all the time.
I think the main reason you longed for Atlanta was a sense of belonging, a sense of being seen. You didn’t have that in your hometown, and to be apart instead of one of made you feel good. I mean who doesn’t want to see people like them in the highest of places? It brought you closer to your sense of self. College did that for you. You had months of time to grow and think and challenge what you believed. Your faith grew, you trusted God more than ever, you prayed more than ever and you trusted Him with plans for your life.
Honestly, girl, you did pretty good. Learned some tough lessons, lost friends shared in heartache, cried and laughed with your people, led your sorority, and found your passions. I wish you would’ve taken a step back and gave yourself congrats or two but newsflash… even four years later that’s still something we gotta work on.
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