Leaving the Nest

I will be 24 in just under 2 weeks from now, and living on my own for 6 years. For my first year, I lived in the same city as my father, so I visited often we have always been close. The second year, I moved across province to attend university, where I resided for the next 4 years. It was difficult, but every chance I got, I jumped in my car, picked up a Tims coffee and drove 7 hours to spend a weekend at home. It was always a treat to be back. Each summer, I would fly to another province, spend the summer where I knew no one; explored to the full extent, and each time my father felt so proud of me. He loved the idea of me taking chances and experiencing new things. But each time he knew I was getting a little older; a little more mature. I was no longer his little girl. One such summer, I took a trip to BC. I traveled completely to the other end of the country, and I fell in love with the town. I knew I would have to come back. So in April 2009, I graduated from my first degree, had already found an apt in BC, and was searching for a job. This time was different. This time my father knew I would not be back in four months. He was conflicted with pride and sadness at my departure. So, on my final day home, he handed me an envelope. Inside was a card with expressing exactly how he felt, two gift cards one was a gas card worth $100, the other was a Tim Hortons card, also worth $100. If I was going to be driving across the country, he wanted to help. That Tims card lasted me the whole way over. Between coffee and breakfast when I got up each morning, and another coffee in the afternoon and evening, I was set. It took me 7 full days to drive across Canada, and I phoned my father each and every day to let him know where I was. When I finally made it to BC, I had $20 left in Tims money, and hundreds of beautiful photos of Canada. My father has never been prouder of his little girl, and I still continue to call him everyday.