Dear Utah...

Dear Utah,

Oh you've been so good to me. You raised me and taught me how to love the mountains. Taught me how to go camping and endure endless mosquito bites. You were there when I went to Kindergarten and met my best friend. You were there when I learned how to say the alphabet and figured out how to divide.

You gave me a home.

A home where I grew up with eight other siblings. One where I spent thousands of nights in my room. My room where I did the most growing up. The one where I fell asleep each night and dreamed. Dreamed about what life had in store for me. You gave me warm summer nights spent on the tramp, and cold winters wrapped up on the couch. You gave me visits from family and laughs from friends. You gave me hard work in the school year and joy in the summer.

You gave me my friends. Someone who would listen. You gave me a redhead, a volleyball player and a dancer. You gave us time together, even though we wish it would've lasted just a little longer. But nonetheless, you still gave it to me.

You gave me trips to Bear Lake, and spring break in St. George. Lots of boating and laying in the sun. You were there when I got into my first ATV accident and you were there when I rode one for the last time. You gave me memories that I will never forget.

You taught me lessons. Lessons I learned from countless camps. From church camps to sport camps, you made it possible. You gave me nature. Something so beautiful and priceless. Hundreds of hikes up your beautiful mountain ranges, and camp fires at night.

You offered me schooling. Gave me a school where I became who I am. Where I learned how to fight my way through life, and enjoy every moment along the way. You gave me teachers. Ones who taught me that it's going to be okay. Teachers that listened to me when no one else would.

You were there when I learned how to drive. When I overcame my fear of the roads, and passed my driving test. When I backed into a tree and dented my car. When I drove friends when I wasn't supposed to, and was scared of getting caught. You were there on my birthday when I finally got my license and took a picture outside the DMV.

You were there when I got my first boyfriend.

You were there through every gold fish and pet that I owned. You were there when I said goodbye to my cats and you were there when my dog was hit by a car and died. Even when nobody believed us because it was April 1st.

You were there through so many things. Events that changed my life and made me the person that I am today. You were there when I was at the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

You were there when I said goodbye.

Thank you for giving me something to hold onto. I'll be back, don't you worry.

Love,

Mikaela