To my greatest adventurer:

Right now, you are experiencing SO many different emotions as the countdown to your journey nears closer. Your entire world is about to change for a little while. Somehow, it is amazing and terrifying all in one. But, like I always say, all of the best things in life truly are. You are receiving the last few items of gear from your sponsors (I'm still so incredibly proud to say that), making sure your pack is as light as possible, creating the best outdoor music playlist, and saying your goodbyes.

I remember when I first met you this past summer. Sitting around a bonfire, staying up until 4:00 a.m. listening to you passionately talk about your upcoming journey.Your face illuminated by the flickers of fire a few feet away from you. You told me that you were going to set off in the Spring and hike nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine on The Appalachian Trail. I, of course, was enthralled with the idea. I encouraged and supported it completely. I knew right then, falling so incredibly in love with you was far beyond my control.

You'll be spending six months living off the land--having minimal access to food, water, and communication. You'll be hiking an average of 24 miles a day, inevitably losing weight from the physical demand, and being away from all your loved ones.

It sounds strenuous, grueling, dangerous, and entirely insane, doesn't it?

Or it sounds like one of the most rewarding, exhilarating, memorable, and incredible ways to spend half a year of your life.

I could be terribly selfish and tell you that I don't want you leaving for that long, or that I won't be here when you get back...but those thoughts were never once even considered. A part of truly loving someone is supporting them and their goals entirely--even if that means they have to leave for a little bit.

I'll be completely honest; I will miss you so so very much, and life will be somewhat different for awhile. I'll miss the little moments together and simply being able to call you whenever I want to hear your voice. All of that is expected. I just know how amazing this adventure will be for you and simply knowing that helps. I know that hiking, capturing photos of the beauty that the world has to offer, and being surrounded by nature makes you so immensely happy; therefore, that makes me so incredibly happy knowing you are doing what you love every single day.

We all know the saying, "once in a lifetime." Well...this is exactly that. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity--to escape the stress of everyday life and the same mundane daily routine is a blessing in itself. Who wouldn't want 180 days of pure, enrapturing peace?

I just want you to know, and never doubt the support you will continuously have here back at home. We are all SO incredibly proud of you. You have always been my biggest fan and supporter. Now, it's my turn to show you I have always been yours as well.

Most importantly, I need you to (pinky) promise me a few things while you're out there:

Promise me you will soak in every single five million steps that you take.

Promise me you will never get used to feeling the mountains underneath your tired feet.

Promise me you will always be amazed when you look up at the stars.

Promise me you will look at Orion's belt whenever you can see it beyond the trees.

Promise me you will breathe in every single moment of your journey.

With my deepest love and support, even from thousands of miles away,

Your fellow adventurer