Words by Allyson

This is Rachel and Emily.  They're my buds.

This picture was taken on the way home from brunch (I know, classy right?) and it's a favorite of mine.  These girls have made the move to VA much more fun.  From Cafe Rio when we don't want to make dinner, to the One Direction movie, to rescuing each other at a wedding reception, they're pretty much stellar.

I spent a fantastic week at my parents house in Florida, before Mom, Sister, and I drove up to Virginia.  Today we walked around campus, and I have a feeling I'm going to like it here.  I also have a feeling this is going to be nothing like the past three years. And that's okay.

These past few days haven't necessarily been easy. It seems that one moment I'm feeling fine and confident, and the next I'm fighting back tears and trying to keep my cool (usually failing miserably). I've said about a million prayers and I'm grateful that my Heavenly Father has answered every single one. I'm not entirely sure what I've been afraid of, but I do know that this experience is stretching me already further than I anticipated. Doubtless I'll have more hard days, but I'm pretty excited to see what I can do at the end of this thing.