Goodbye. Au Revoir. Adios.

May is graduation month, which means goodbyes are happening left and right. I don’t like goodbyes, but I don’t know many people who do. This weekend I had to say goodbye to most of my friends from HESA, our graduate program. When I think about the fact that we only really became friends last August, I have a hard time comprehending why it is so difficult to say goodbye. I know that it will only be a few short months before I see most of them again. This summer we will all be traveling. Our second year friends will all be starting their first jobs as student affairs professionals, while my fellow first years will be completing Orientation or Housing internships all over the country. I think that it is challenging because we have all grown so close this year, in the classroom discussing our passion for student development, and outside having fun at tailgates, happy hours, and weekend trips. When I think about how hard it was to say goodbye to my close friends from college, I am reminded that I have stayed in touch with most of them and that “goodbye isn’t really goodbye”, but more “I’ll see you later.” Dr. Seuss said it best with “Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” I have so many great memories from this past year and could have never imagined how much fun I would have in graduate school and what amazing relationships I would form. I can smile whenever I think about the fact that I’m pursuing a degree in Higher Education in South Carolina.

The same thing can also be said while traveling. I hate leaving a vacation or trip where I've formed new friendships, found new favorite restaurants, and finally learned the local culture. The nice thing about traveling goodbyes is that they don't have to be permenant, you can always return.