The day before I boarded my flight to Italy, my best friend stopped by my house and delivered an envelope to me.  On the outside of the envelope it read, “See you in 83 days…1,992 hours…119,520 minutes…7,171, 200 seconds. We miss you already.” and it was filled with letters from all of my closest friends. The letters made me want to both laugh and cry, but I had no idea how much they would mean to me as I adjusted to life in a new country.
I am here to share parts of the letters and what the words mean to me now that Europe is more than just a place I’ve seen in movies.
1.       “Everyone wants to have their Lizzie Mcguire moment.”
Mine just happened to be at the Trevi Fountain. No, Paolo did not show up and then drive me around Rome on a Vespa. But the fountain was more beautiful than I even imagined, and I still have time for my wish to come true.  Oh, and this trip really is what dreams are made of.
2.       “Pay attention to the fashion.”
The street style I have seen in Paris and Rome has inspired me more than any Pinterest board.
3.       “Be grateful.”
One small example of the many things I’m grateful for while here is that while I have been able to drink local wines and eat delicious authentic mozzarella, I guarantee that my friends are at home drinking a six dollar bottle of Barefoot Miscato and eating Kraft singles.
4.       “I want you to take a moment to look around and soak up everything about that moment! The world is truly colorful!!!”
Enough said.
5.       “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. (sic)”
Okay, Sidney did not come up with this herself. However, she did put this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt at the bottom of her letter and it could not be more perfect. It has become sort of a life goal for me, especially during my time abroad.
I officially have 66 days left of my time in Europe. Although I miss my friends like crazy, I feel thankful to have their words of love and support hanging by my bed, and I know when I get back home I will have amazing memories, pictures, and stories to share with them.
-Leah Hutchins

The letters from my ‘American friends’