We are family

Some of you I met yesterday, some of you I missed. Still - it doesn't matter where you are because we are all part of one big family.
We share amazing memories, went on breathtaking trips, had flat-destroying headache-causing parties, took a few moments in silence just enjoying being together while taking a sip of our tea or coffee. We experienced a brand new sense of being, started to challenge ourselves and the ones around us and succeeded. We spend a long time abroad - in difference from a vacation, we actually build ourselves a nest in a new culture, a new city and (tried to) speak new languages. We studied, worked hard for exams and were sometimes wishing for an easier way and a brighter day when the dark winter clouds covered to sky. We stuck together - not only because we were stuck together but because we enjoyed eachothers company. We learned to quickly decide who's worth keeping and who to avoid, we got a better sense for our own individuality all the while getting to know so many different, strong characters. We are a new, improved "us", we are a family. We had our up's and down's, were shaking because of laughter but also tears. Together we got to know what "home sick" means and together we figured out ways to not only counteract but also cherish this special feeling, because it made us realize what's important to us. We might have been missing some people from home, but we also met new ones and if our time abroad told us one thing, than it's the will to say "see you later" and mean it in a truely amazing way, because we talk about our future, not only as one person but the future of us as a group, of reunions, visits, vacations or just the occasional hand-written letter to say: "our friendship means something to me". We redefined "friendship" and broke down the borders in our own minds to set the idea free, that there is nothing that can hold us back, because there is no way we won't be able to communicate with eachother. It's not about meeting every day, talking every hour or spending every minute in eachothers company - because we know, that there is someone, somewhere knowing and listening, if we need them. We achieved the freedom to live our lifes knowing in the back of our heads that nothing can bring us down, since we formed a wide net all over Europe. We are connected - with modern technology, postal ways and in our mind. We are family. And family is always there for you.

I want to thank you for every minute of every day during the last ten months of my life. Not only was it a life-changing experience but also some kind of pause-and-reset. I truely believe that I found part of my inner peace in Riga and that I got in touch with a part of myself that I did not know before. A part that is loving and relaxed and open towards new experience. The older we get the more we tend to be afraid of change - but so much changed around me and all these good things happened, so how could I fear change from now on? Anyhow, I wouldn't say that Riga changed me, it rather tried to organize me in a different way - it brought back character traits that were burried under the ongoing, ever-the-same day-to-day life. My time in Riga, my time with you made me realize, that there is nothing selfish about once in a while putting the needs and wishes of oneself first. We deserve it. We are worth it. If you always wanted to travel to Norway or Russia, do it! If you want to spend a night at the beach, do it! If you want to go on a one week bike tour, just do it! When you know, what you want, you will meet other people who think the same way. I don't say: forget about the others. I think: if you are with the right kind of people, nothing can hold you back! I can't stretch this enough: thank you, for being there with me,for being the right kind of people. Thank you for all the support, for the laughter as well as the tears, for always being there and for sharing the same crazy ideas and just going for it. Thank you, every single one of you. You are wonderful.