Dear Rome/Roma/Eternal City,

Our year together is quickly coming to a close. With only a month or so left, I am starting to feel the impact that leaving you is going to have. Sure, going home will be nice. But nothing is going to compare to the time I’ve spent here with you.

Here in Rome, I’ve become a better person. Someone whose focused, knows what she wants, and is ready to work for it. Someone who knows how to plan every little detail so that almost nothing can go wrong. But also someone who recognizes that its okay to let plans go astray sometimes, something I have always struggled with.

I’ve learned so much from you. Not only have I learned about the city and its extensive history, with numerous monuments and even more churches, but I’ve also learned a new culture. I’ve adjusted to a different way of living and can’t imagine going back to something slower than the pace I’ve been running on since August. I’ve learned about religion much more than any amount of time I spent at Catholic and Jesuit schools. But I’ve also learned about people and what to expect and not expect from them.

I’ve eaten SO MUCH good food this year. Yes, sometimes my stomach was yelling at me for it, but when else am I going to get this fantastic of spaghetti at my fingertips? Luckily, since your transportation sucks, I’ve had to walk long distances, hopefully combatting the amount of pasta I’ve consumed.

Because of you, Rome, I’ve made some pretty amazing friends. I’ve gotten to meet people of all walks of life, giving me lessons each and every day. I’ve also met a lot of cats, so I’ve successfully become a cat lady and am preparing for my future as one.

Most of all, I’ve learned to love you, Rome. Through your faults and your surprises, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. I’ve gotten frustrated so many times I can’t count yet I’ve always come back to that love that will never go away.

You are my city, my favorite place on Earth, Rome. Thank you for letting me stay here for awhile and I hope we will come back together again one day. Ti amo Roma.

Signed,

The Girl Who Grew Up