First off, thank you so much for making this happen. Without you, I wouldn’t be here having the experience of a lifetime and learning things about myself and other cultures that I wouldn’t be able to learn back home. Even though I know you might not like the idea of me being in a foreign country, you still accepted my dreams and made them a reality. And for all of that, I thank you.

When I left, you were filled with emotions- you were worried, sad, excited and maybe even a little jealous. After all, your 20-year-old daughter is seeing more of the world than you ever have. But, I hope these emotions are starting to change. I hope that you’re seeing what an amazing experience this is for me and loving the fact that I’m lucky enough to experience it. I hope that my daily Face Times give you happiness and comfort knowing that I’m okay.

I’m loving everything about this trip. There have been a couple bumps in the road and unexpected things have happened, but the thing I miss the most is you. Everyone knows our relationship back home- we talk constantly every day via text, we call each other at least two times a day and we find ways to see each other at least once a week or every two weeks. It’s difficult being here and having a phone that only works on Wi-Fi and living in a country that is seven hours’ time difference from where you are. What I do know, though, is the first thing I do when I finally do find Wi-Fi is try to call you even though you usually beat me to it. I’ve gotten a lot of “accidental” calls from your pocket-dialing, but I’m still not convinced all of those are on accident.

Calling you isn’t the same, though. I’m experiencing all these amazing places/things and I can’t help but wish you were here to experience them with me. I think my group is getting annoyed with me saying, “I wish my mom was here too.” It’s true, though. You’re my best friend and you’ve been by my side for twenty years, I think it makes sense why I would want you to still be here by my side for this.

I’ve told you how much I love Europe. I’ve maybe even told you that I was never coming back. Don’t worry, I’m coming back. I just hope that talking to me is giving you dreams to do some of your own traveling. I also hope someday we can take these trips together. I can take you back to all of my favorite places in Europe and show you why I fell in love with these places to begin with.

So, thank you. Thank you for making this trip happen and supporting me the whole time I’ve been here. Thank you for Face Timing me even though you’re in the middle of class and have to run to the gym to be on Wi-Fi. I love you so, so much and can’t wait to tell you even more about my trip and someday experience it with you.