I just went on a trip to New York to visit the area where I grew up. My son had been asking for months to go to the Bronx Zoo for his birthday and also wanted to see my childhood home and school. 

When I revisited my high school, I got to see some of my favorite teachers and my guidance counselor who I had been close with throughout my four years there. As I stood talking with each of them, and we recounted stories of my friends and I from back when we were students, I kept thinking how much the stories they told sounded just like me, and the memories they shared of my friends sounded so similar to the people I am still close with to this day. It’s interesting how, even though I’d like to think I have grown and matured over the years, at my core, I am basically the same person. I have many of the same values, a similar personality, interests, etc. that I had when I was 15. My experiences may have changed and expanded, but the basics of who I am are the same. And my teachers seemed the same to me, too. They had the same energy, warmth, genuine interest in their students, and kindness I remembered them each having from so many years ago. 

This visit made me really appreciate how we all have our core self that stays with us over the years and it also reminded me of the important ways those around us help develop and build that innate character. It felt rewarding and fulfilling to see these people who had such a profound impact on me in so many ways, who I looked up to so much, and getting to reconnect and reflect upon these past relationships through adult eyes.

We enjoyed our New York trip so much. My son got to visit the places he had been excited for, and together, we were able to visit with my closest childhood friends and the people and places that were most dear to my heart throughout my childhood and adolescence.