In hindsight, delay is a blessing

My closest friends and I at my campfire. I'm going to miss these girls.

On a recent drive back from Wisconsin, a close friend and I discussed the happiest times in our short lives–the times with the most sustained happiness. I reflected on the past 22 years. I can confidently say that I am generally a jovial, happy person. It takes a lot to get me down. The junior high years, high school, the first three years of college have all been great. I love my life. But the happiest period, I think I have to say this summer. People: new friends, old friends, family, made this summer the happiest time in my life so far.

Not going to Nigeria enabled me to see many of my friends and family I thought I wouldn’t see for a year and a half. So many new people entered my life this summer. It will be strange to not be with them for my senior year of college, but I am so thankful I had the opportunity to make memories with them. I got to go to Lollapalooza, a huge music festival in Chicago. I got to visit my dad in Austin, Texas. I got to go to New York City. Everything worked out for the best and now I am 2 days away from going to Nigeria!

I don’t know if I believe the saying, “everything happens for a reason,” but I am seriously happy with the way this summer turned out. It would have been good if I went to Nigeria in June, but being in Madison and Chicago was the best time of my life so far and I know it’s only going to get better from here.

The picturesque Chicago skyline from Grant Park during Lollapalooza.

A going away campfire in Madison, WI on one of my last nights there.

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