You lock your heart and leave the key at home

Yesterday I felt pangs of sadness because it finally hit me that I won't see my loved ones for a whole year and a half. When I first decided to serve a mission, I thought time would fly by before I reported to the MTC because there would be nothing for me in Salem. Because it's Salem. All the buildings here are made of concrete and it just rains and rains. Gross, right?

This summer has been one of the most memorable summers of my life.

It was the summer that I finally gave in and went to the single's ward, and as a result made incredible friends. I discovered how beautiful Oregon was after 3 years of being here as little as possible.

After I opened my call, May and June dragged on and on. Then this last month passed in the blink of an eye, and it feels like I only have mere hours to spend time with those I want to and say how I feel. And pack. So much packing and last minute errands.

Anyway, I felt all of this at Round Table Pizza while I was eating lunch with my family. I made a sad face and said, "I'm gonna miss you guys so much," through a mouthful of cinnamon bread. I met up with them for lunch again at my favorite Indian restaurant,* but in contrast to yesterday, I was bubbly and excited to leave.

*I will eat lots of amazing Indian food on my mission, yet I still go here all the time. No regrets.

And then there are my friends. Who knows where they'll be in 18 months. I think about where I was 18 months ago and laugh. I was completely different. Also, I was living in Hawaii. What I'm trying to get at is all of my friends will probably be married/not in town and I will have to make new friends to annoy with my mission stories. But I love them and hope they find happiness wherever they go.

I think it's normal to feel a little sad and to miss the things/people you love, as long as it doesn't get in the way of your work.

To paraphrase President Kimball, you have to lock your heart. Lock it up nice and tight.

If I was too subtle (sarcasm), I just meant to say there are people here I'm going to miss.

Like Hugh Jackman.