It has been interesting to learn more about myself and the woman I am becoming, though there have been challenges along the way. One thing that I found out is that I’m ready for more independence, though my parents don’t think so. Throughout this trip I’ve been tugging at their leash, and trying to get more freedom, but I screwed up so now I’ve been pulled in tighter than ever!
My parents and I didn’t really get on very well on this trip. To be completely honest, my mom should not have come on this trip at all! There were so many arguments and disagreements that I was actually looking forward to going home and having my own space again. My mom believes that I’ve become very secretive on this trip, but the truth is, I just don’t want to talk to my parents about a lot of things because they would just judge me and not actually listen to the things that are going on without putting in their own opinions. Whenever I want to open up to my parents it’s either a bad time or they don’t give me their full attention, so I’ve decided to stop opening up and only talk about the basics with them.
I have loved making new friends along the way and hope to stay in contact with them while I am back home. I went back to Tennessee at the end of the trip and had a bowling evening with Jackson and a few others. I was really nervous about meeting up with them because I didn’t know what feelings I might’ve had for Jackson.
It’s amazing how you can think you have feelings for someone one day, and then the next they’re either gone or not as extreme as before. I was really happy when I wasn’t thinking about Jackson in any other way but as friends and was sort of disappointed when we didn’t talk as much as we did when we Face-timed.
I also loved getting to know Jeremy and his family better. The first time we hung out, after being separated for a year, was sort of awkward, but over time we got back into the swing of things and being with him and his family felt so natural. It was amazing to spend four days with them which was the highlight of the whole trip! Jem and I did get into serious trouble at one point, which put a damper on the day, but it was still a great visit.
I'm sure you are wondering what the heck we did that got us into trouble, it really wasn’t that bad! To give you the short story, Jem and I drove to Hershey Park, alone, for a day of rides and fun when we decided to leave early and get dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Now, the Cheesecake Factory was an hour and a half away from the park, but we had put it into Maps to make sure it was close to his house, which was two hours away from Hershey.
After looking at the map, we thought that it was close enough to his house and started our journey. Once there, our mothers started texting us and saying that it was too late to still be out and that we needed to come home. My parents we not at all pleased that we had driven to Baltimore to get a cheesecake because Baltimore is a rough place at the moment and, according to my parents, completely out of the way from Jem’s house. To Jem and I, it wasn’t that big of a deal because we thought we were close to his house, but according to my parents we weren’t.
The drive home was terrifying for Jem. He felt so bad and was so worried about getting me into trouble. I tried my best to calm him down and that resulted in holding his hand the entire drive home. I wasn’t nervous until we pulled into the driveway and at that time Jem was actually calm. Before getting out the car I wanted to tell him thanks and that I had a great time, so I kissed him on the cheek. :P
The punishment for our detour was a day of no electronics and most of the independence I had stripped away. It wasn’t that bad of a punishment and the cheesecake Jem and I ate after everyone went to bed was completely worth it, so I’m not complaining. In a way, that detour brought us much closer together and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
I was supposed to leave Jem’s house the day after we had gone to Hershey to go with my parents to our next destination, but I was able to persuade my dad to allow me to stay one more night! It was literally the best grounding day ever!
Jem’s siblings and I decided not to tell him that I was staying an extra night, so it would be a big surprise. That night, when we went to the movies we told Jem to meet us there. I hid behind a poster and when he walked in I walked up behind him and whispered, “So, come here with anyone?”, which was the same thing two girls had asked him when we were at Hershey Park. Jem’s face was priceless! It was the best surprise ever!
The happiness was short-lived, however. The last night with Jem went by so fast that it was really upsetting when he had to go to work, we literally didn’t want to let go of each other. It sucked to leave everyone I love in America, but I was excited to come home because that meant no more long car rides and my parents going back to their schedules which didn’t involve watching my every move. I just wish coming home didn’t mean saying goodbye to those close to me. Saying goodbye to Jem was the worst and I never want to have to do it again, but I know I’ll have to.
Now that I’m home, I would do anything to have another day with Jem, but I’m very thankful for texting and FaceTime because I don’t know how we would cope without talking everyday and hearing each other’s voices. Even though I’m sad to be away from Jem, I’m keeping my head up and looking forward to my next trip to America. It makes it so much sweeter when we can be together again.