Valentine’s Day.

In truth, I have never been a fan. I have referred to it as many years as “Corporate Holiday” since it is a day for the card and candy companies. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting cards and chocolates as much as the next person, but I have never seen the point of limiting these things to just one day. And this opinion extends to expressing our love for one another.

I have been lucky enough to have spent all of my previous February’s in the US close to my family and friends – close enough to either spend time in the same place or at least enjoy a long video call on a good WiFi connection. But this year, it is a little different. I am over 9,000 miles away from home, away from the family and friends I have been used to. I have made new friends here at site, but it’s still something to get used to.

A few people have asked me how it’s been adjusting to the new isolation that being in the Peace Corps brings. People have also asked me how it is maintaining relationships with the folks back home.

In short…

It’s hard.

I am in a whole new world. Different cultures, different languages, different customs, and daily routines. We were thrown into an intensive training almost as soon as we landed in country and there has been no slowing down since. There have been great days, there have been average days, and there have been days that were absolute crap. Yet, each day has brought a new experience, a new challenge, a new something to laugh at or be happy about.

With all of these new experiences every day, it’s been hard to maintain a solid connection with back home. I am still able to talk to my parents almost every Sunday, but sometimes maintaining this level of communication with people back home I used to talk to everyday.

So, I just want to use this post to say to everyone back home that I miss you all very much and that I’m so sorry I haven’t been keeping up like I could have been. Everyone has so much going on in their lives and it is so hard to remember that there are 7 billion other stories out there besides our own, and it’s even harder to keep up with the one we care about.

I love you all. Thank you for the endless support, whether it be through a simple message, saying something to my parents, a phone call, or even a care package. Every little thing helps me remember that there is a good support system out there. And, although I am over 9,000 miles away and postal services are a little out of my current price range, I want you all to know that I remember and I care.

If you ever want to talk, drop me a line. It might take me a little while to respond, but I’ll be there. It’s always nice to hear from people and to learn about the world outside of my own current bubble.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. I love you all.