My Open Break Up Letter to Australia

My Dearly Beloved Australia,

I cannot believe I am in sitting on the floor of my empty room right now, crying while writing you this letter.

We both knew this day would eventually come, I just cannot believe it is finally happening today.

I just can’t believe we are breaking up.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I committed to this relationship. I had never met you, never seen you, yet somehow already knew I would fall in love with you. I just wish someone would have warned me I would fall this hard.

This was supposed to be just something fun, not serious. A fling, I guess you could say. But we both knew from my first Tim Tam and my first beach walk, that it quickly developed into something much more than that.

Having to move back home. I cried for weeks straight, lost and confused, looking for a sign to tell me what I should do. Trying to decide which life to live when you live in two different parts of the world feels just as complicated as it sounds. Deciding to leave you for America was by far one of the most difficult and painful decisions I have ever had to make.

Please understand, this decision has nothing to do with anything you did. It is all me. You were, and are, amazingly perfect.

In fact, I want to thank you for making me feel safe over the past 3 years. The safest I have ever felt in my whole life. I never feared walking by myself late at night in the city that I would get attacked or mugged. You somehow managed to do the impossible and protect me throughout all my crazy shenanigans,  solo adventures and weekly mayhem.  I could sincerely trust you.

I want to thank you for opening my eyes to a work culture I never even knew could exist. A culture where people are encouraged to travel, supported to stay home when not feeling well, inspired to do what they need to do to be happy. You made the daily grind enjoyable.
You made life fun.

I want to thank you for all the freedom you gave me. You shared with me 9 countries over the past 3 years and for weeks at a time!!! Your freedom to let me travel and has opened up my eyes to see all that this stunning planet has to offer.
Because of you, I saw the world.

I want to thank you for all the amazing relationships we built. The friendships I made here are those that will last a lifetime. People from all backgrounds have enriched my life over these past years and have taught me so much about myself.
Because of you, I met the world.

I leave today with a shattered heart, having to say goodbye to you and the wonderful life we made together. But I leave you knowing I am returning home to America a much stronger person because of you. A much wiser, more cultured, open-minded and loving person.

Because of you, I will continue to take crazy risks and follow my heart, as you are a perfect example of how gratifying the reward can be.

Getting on that plane 3 years ago to be with you was the start of the best chapter of my life thus far, but like most great things, it is now time for it to come to an end.

You were the greatest thing that ever happened to me Australia,  and I will forever be in your debt.

You can take Hot Mess out of Australia…
But you will never be able to take Australia out of Hot Mess.

I love you, Australia!

Till we meet again…

Check out my slideshow highlighting the last 3 fabulous years while living down under.