I was 17. I moved 3 hours away to go to school. My Mom says she cried all the way back to her home after dropping me off. I clearly remember my Dad coming into my room that morning in tears. It was the first time I'd ever seen my Dad cry. I remember being upset when Mom left, but it didn't last long. I love my parents and we have a good relationship, but I had been planning this move since I was 10 at least. I've never been back for longer than 10 days to visit. Now it would take me thee days to drive back there!

I have three siblings, all of whom work for my Dad's company, my parents can look into my sister's house from theirs, my brothers live 10 minutes away. I am the only one of their kids who they don't see or talk to every day. At the most they see me twice a year. I try to call twice a week. I've only recently realized how hard that is for them, but they are very understanding. Both of them say they have always known that I would be the one to leave. I enjoy my visits with my family, but it also reminds me every time that I could never live there again! I don't in any way regret where my life has taken me.