Today is my last day as an intern for the Mt. Lebanon Magazine, which also means that my time in Mt. Lebanon, my home for the past 19 years, is nearing a close. Like so many college students, I am feeling bittersweet about this transition back to school.

On one hand, I have wonderful friends and roommates waiting for me at school. There are sights to see, classes to take and degrees to earn! And, not to mention, this is going to be a very exciting year in D.C….

On the other hand, though, I’ve had an incredible, jam-packed summer. I learned a lot about journalism and the Mt. Lebanon community. I met new people and had so many interesting conversations. And, of course, I spent time with family and friends that I missed so much.

While most teenagers have no trouble saying ‘hasta la vista’ to Mt. Lebanon, it is difficult for me to leave the community that has given me so much. Leaving the neighbors that I have come to know so well, the kids that play on our yard all summer, best friends from kindergarten, loving grandparents, goofy siblings and the most supportive parents is without a doubt the most difficult transition. Long story short, it is hard to say goodbye to my home.

Living in such a beautiful city, there are so many things we take for granted. The views from the Fort Pitt Tunnel, reading on the grass in Schenley Park, shopping in the Strip and eating waffles in the South Side are just a few activities I will miss out on at school. And I can’t forget to mention all of the action in Lebo, like taking runs in Virginia Manor, chatting with baristas at Uptown Coffee and having way too much ice cream at Scoops on Beverly.

As hard as leaving will be, though, I know that I will have more amazing opportunities, make more memories and, most importantly, have many more slices of overpriced Whole Foods pizza at college.

Until next time Lebo, I can’t wait to come back.