Jessie, you’ve known me to be a traveler my whole life. Whether it was our high school graduation trip to Costa Rica (check out this photo!), volunteering in Cambodia over the summer, studying abroad in Germany, to today where I’m teaching English in the countryside in Japan, there was always something new to explore.

The world is so big and beautiful and, wouldn’t you know, it’s full of wonderful and kind people too! The downside though about discovering new places and communities is when you have to say goodbye. With each new place I visit, I take with me new stories and fond memories, but I also leave behind a piece of my heart.

Leaving Los Angeles, leaving you and all my friends and family, I have left a part of my heart back home. My life is a paradoxical whirlwind of exciting new surprises and a longing to be close to my loved ones, so I hope that writing you these letters can bring you a little closer to me and me a little closer to you.