Summer Before Sophomore Year
Dear Dad,
This summer was different than others.
Not because it was the first one where I've felt completely relaxed without school work, or judging from the fact that I listened to country music for the majority of it (thanks to the boyfriend). The summer of 2024 felt different for the sole reason of feeling that I've learned the most.
It started off by leaving my best friends whom I never thought could ever exist---or more specifically, people who made a place like Philadelphia (which doesn't appear too home-y), feel pretty close to my upbringing from the Lehigh Valley. In other words, I felt a new sense of freedom once I entered college from the lack of pressure to succeed that high school placed onto me all those years before. So, coming back home after this "breakthrough" of a year to say was nothing short of very interesting and reflective.
Seeing all of the changes that have been made to the growing economy of the Valley yet not being here to experience it gave me a sense of culture shock. It's almost as if I would never be able to be considered a resident again, although I was quickly proven wrong after being pushed into working my high school job nearly every day a week.
Despite the long hours a week I waited tables inside while the sun was beaming, I found my way to travel as much as I could when I had off. Whether this included going to concerts, beach trips with friends, or visiting my brother in North Carolina with my family, I quickly realized the new role of independence and maturity I took on since coming back home (except for the fact that I chickened out trying to say hello to Gavin Casalegno in Wilmington NC LOL). Even though I've always been viewed by others as having these strong qualities, it became so visible that I was much much different than I was the summer before I entered college.
Morgan Wallen (5/18), Brooks & Dunn with Ernest (6/28), Luke Combs (7/27)
So after returning back from my family vacation and walking through the same restaurant door as I did my senior year, I told myself that something had to change. I may have been the same Lauren, but with a mind and heart much stronger than they were a year ago.
Raleigh, Wilmington & Wrightsville Beach, NC
As I applied for internships left and right, still knowledgeable that summer would be coming to a close in a little over a month, I felt that I had received one of the greatest blessings from God when I was offered a job at my University. Through my responsibilities I knew I'd finally found something that I could simply just learn from---something that I've been yearning to have all summer.
Now, as I've become more comfortable with my morning work schedule, exercising on a daily basis, and running errands for mom, Philly waits for me once again. In fact, I just finished packing up 2 cars with all of my belongings (watch out PHL Lauren has her car now), and all the bittersweet memories of leaving home are hitting me very similarly to how they did last year.
Although living with my friends again is exciting and scary at the same time, it saddens me most when I think about how this might be the last time living in my humble abode for a long period of time. Only you and God have an idea what this year and the following will bring, but all I know is that these past few months will always stick with me as the most memorable and transformative times of my life.
To more life and love filled with learning and growth, here's to summer 2024 & sophomore year!
Your daughter,
Lauren
