my alabama self is dying.

moving away to college is a little like dying, i decided.
you say goodbye, you cry, you leave, and don't really ever come back.
for good, anyway.
that's why i'm getting really sad lately.
it kills me to think that alot of things i do throughout these next few weeks will be for the last time. i want to soak in every single think about home, about alabama, about my friends that i love so much, so i'll never forget this all.

like...

• friendly people everywhere you go
• hick accents
• getting to drive through such beautiful country every day
• watching the sun set over the Tennessee from the I-65 bridge
• my second home
• jumping on the trampoline with jiffy and ashley
• walks with mom
• cooking whenever i want
• laying on the dock in Decatur picking out constellations
• doing every-thing with em (this is where i start tearing up)
  
• "book" nights
• midnight runs to publix for popcorn surprise ingredients
• having 4 best friends to spend weekends with
• doing school on my roof
• the backyard thriller swing
• long talks at the pond
• getting freaked out at crybaby hollow
• the bradford pear trees on hwy 31
• mom's cooking
• my friends
• my friends
• my friends
  
• calhoun. ahh. so maybe i won't really miss it.
• the drive to Birmingham
• mowing the grass
• my tulips
• checking the mail barefoot
• running in ridiculous outfits not caring what the neighbors think
• hikes on rainbow mountain
• driving. i won't have Irene anymore. sob.
• almost dying on a routine basis (while driving)

it goes on and on.
i've wanted to leave home, to start a new life, my own life, for as long as i can remember. and i've never been so excited in my life as i am for this fall. i also know once i get there, i'll be so happy, i won't be wishing i was here.
so while i'm here {these last few weeks}, i just want to soak in the beauty. to be at peace with what whatever comes with each new day. to enjoy every moment i'm here, and appreciate what it has given me rather than be in a hurry to put it behind me.

home, i'm going to miss you ever so much.