When you’re 18 years old, a big question occupies your mind: “How does one decide to leave home to go to school and start a new chapter of their life?” It’s very complicated. Technically, I’m an adult. I’m 18 years old. I’m legal. However, I’m still a “teen.” I still want hugs from my Mommy, laughs from my Dad, and protection from my charismatic little brother. I’ve prepared for this moment all throughout high school: to get into a great university and meet amazing people. But no one really talks about what it’s like to have to move away from home and start a new chapter when you’re eleven years old.

My brother started attending boarding school when he was about 11 in South Carolina. I knew this was hard for him. I mean it was hard for all of us. My mom. My dad. Me. He was still just a kid. But I don’t think I’ve put it into perspective until now. Five years later. When me and my brother switched positions. It’s interesting because he would complain that I would get all the attention since I was the one at home. But now that he’s home and I’m away, I’m curious if he’s taking advantage of this time with my parents and my home and especially my psychotic dog. I’m writing this sitting in my dorm during the first week of school and just a little homesick. And I can’t help but think what that little eleven year old was thinking when he was so far away from home. And even though I’m 18 years old (an adult), I’m using my little brother as an inspiration to be brave and bold. To let things go and work on myself. To go outside of my comfort zone. And just to remember that things always work out. As my Mom would say, even though Natasha Bedingfield said it first, “Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins. The rest is still unwritten.”