A love letter to the people I’ve met while traveling,

I cry on flights every single time.

I think airports are one of life’s greatest metaphors. Not to get too sappy and philosophical on you, but truly, there are so many stories going on at an airport.

Maybe someone just moved to a different country for a new job

Maybe someone just found out they are cancer free so they took a celebratory vacation

Maybe someone just got their heart broken and they are going on their “Eat, Pray, Love” journey

Airports are a place where everyone feels like their own “main character” while also being a fish in a really crowded sea.

When I’m in airports, specifically when I have boarded my plane and I’m sitting in my economy class seat, without fail, I always become incredibly nostalgic and sentimental.

What they say is true; you don’t realize how good things are until you leave.

And these last seven months of traveling have been that for me.

As I’m sitting on the plane, I have all of my new friends (more like family) texting me they miss me and begging me to bail on my flight (for the third time). Meanwhile, I’m holding back tears while the flight attendant hands me my headset for the on-flight entertainment.

It is absolutely crazy to me how fast people become family, especially when you are solo traveling. I have never grown so close to people, been so open and vulnerable, and made genuine best friends that I would 100% invite to my future wedding.

I think it’s easy to forget the impact you have on other people and that which they have on you. We take our relationships with other people (romantic and platonic) for granted far too often. But when you make friendships while traveling, it’s different.

You eventually know your time with that person will come to an end. You make plans to see each other again, but you both know life is busy and strange.

But here’s the thing about these friendships—you dive in head first.

You tell them about your childhood traumas after you meet because you get chatting at the hostel bar, you ask them to put sunscreen on your back because no one else is there, you hold someone while they cry because their long-distance boyfriend just ending things, the point is: you’re forced to become vulnerable.

You’re forced to open up, to let go of shame and embarrassment, and to let new people in.

They won’t all be your cup of tea, and that’s okay. But when you find the people that are, boy, OH BOY, is it like winning the lottery!

So, as I sit on this plane reflecting on all the memories I’ve collected over the last seven months, I let a happy tear flow down my face. Remembering that no matter where we all end up, everyone you meet helps to shape you into the person you’re supposed to be. Our hearts are made up of all of people we meet throughout our lives, and I am blessed to have such beautiful pieces from people all around the world.

So, thank you.