Earlier this week marked a year since I left Liberty,
Missouri. A year since I have seen
the majority of my friends and family. A year since I slept in my own bed, in
my childhood room. A year since I have had my dad’s infamous breakfast. A year
since I began the biggest adventure of my life!
And today marks a year of living in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Before coming to Tonga I had had my fair share of heartbreak, frustration,
love, and laughter, but Tonga has shown me a whole different side to these emotions.
I have never known heartache like the heartache I have had
here. My heart hurts everyday when I think of home. When I find myself feeling
left out of the lives back at home that I care the most about. When I have had
a bad day and I just want to eat an ice cream cone with my dad or cry on my
mom’s shoulder. Every night before I go to sleep and I think to myself, I hope
these people that I love so much remember me. I hope I still fit into their
lives and that they still want me. I feel so much sorrow when the people I love
at home have heartbreak and there is nothing I can do half way across the
world. My heart hurts so much when I think about leaving my life here in Tonga
in just over a year, at the chance of never seeing these people who have taken
me in and loved me as one of their own again. No matter how hard it was to say
goodbye to my family and friends back at home it will be tremendously harder to
say goodbye to my family and friends here because even though I have my insecurities I know the people that matter will be greeting me with open arms when I return to the States. I know that people will still love me and have a spot for me, we will just have some catching up to do. When I left the US I knew I would see everyone again in 26 months, but I don't know when I will see these people again. And that makes me sad, but even more grateful for the time I do have to spend with them!
But, for every minute of heartache there are a thousand
minutes of love and laughter. I fully believe that I live in the happiest place
on Earth. I am so happy. My heart is overflowing with happiness. I wake up
everyday and go to sleep every night to the sound of the Pacific Ocean. I am
constantly being fed warm meals and being asked if I am okay or if I need anything.
I am told that I am loved multiple times of every day. Coconuts are left on my
porch. I laugh. And I joke. I have truly found a best friend and sister in a Tongan
and not only her, but also her whole family. I have had the opportunity to meet
14 other Americans that I probably never would have crossed paths with in
America. I have gotten to go on so many adventures here in Tonga and see so
much natural beauty. I have learned so many new things, my views and
perspectives have been widened, and my heart just keeps getting bigger! I am so excited for this next year of life!
This past year
would not have been possible without a lot of people, but my appreciation
especially goes out to my other palangis here on the island of ‘Eua. Us
palangis gotta stick together. ‘Ofa lahi atu, moutolu!
Ten facts from the last 365 days!
1. I have read 46 books (wanted 52, but I just love having
time to read again).
2. I have swam with humpback whales.
3. I have eaten raw fish and it has become one of my
favorite foods!
4. I have been on the world’s shortest commercial flight! (8
minutes)
5. A baby was named after me.
6. I have become a mother and a glamma of six furry babies.
7. I have been ten feet away from a King
8. I have been complimented, not only on my dancing, but my
singing as well.
9. I have learned a new language and I am still learning.
10. I have climbed a
coconut tree (that’s not actually true, but I’m trying!)
Thanks for the continual support! It means more than I could ever explain. Here is a short video highlighting my favorite memories of this first year!
'Ofa lahi atu <3
