I have a lot of goodbyes in my near future and I’m not looking forward to them. Some are “I’ll see ya when I see ya” and others are “Good luck and keep in touch,” but all of them remind me that I have a lot of changes ahead of me. My fortune cookie the other day told me that my life would change dramatically within the next month. I may not rely on fortune cookies to inform my decision making, but this one hit the nail on the head, anyway.

In the coming year, I will graduate from college, step down as editor in chief, work my final summer as a camp counselor, start my first big girl job, and prepare for my wedding and married life. With all these changes, goodbyes could easily get swept under the rug, but that last bit of quality time with people I love is actually the most important part of this year. Every single person with whom I will be sharing goodbyes has played a part in getting me through all the stress, joys, sleepless nights, and celebrations that have brought me to this point.

As I sat and contemplated all those goodbyes, I realized that the hardest goodbyes are also the sweetest. I may be embarking on long distance friendships and relationships but I know that when we are finally reunited again, the rough times will be more than worth the tears. Where would we be in life without those relationships that point us to the cross, build us up, and show us Christ’s love and forgiveness in every interaction?

I wish everything could work out so that all the people I love could be in the same place at the same time, but I know that’s not practical. We all have exciting things happening in our lives, some of which involve moving across the country and following our own dreams and careers.

No, I’m not looking forward to the fast approaching day when I will have to move out of my dorm and leave college in the rearview, but I am so thankful that I have had all these wonderful experiences and friendships that are the reason the goodbyes are so tough.

As I move forward in life, I will carry those memories and lessons with me. So for now, I think Jason Aldean said it best:

See you when I see you
Another place, some other time
If I ever get down your way
Or you're ever up around mine
We'll laugh about the old days
And catch up on the new
Yeah I'll see you when I see you
And I hope it's someday soon