“Distance makes the heart grow fonder, but passion makes the fire bright.” –Yonder

The picture above: A package sent from my sister and friend Megan. I love you both so much. My stomach thanks you x1000000!!

As I sit here in my house, listening to a band that I listened to all the time back at home, I am nostalgic. Not just hearing, but feeling the lyrics that are coming out of my iPod. Something that makes me know that a song, or artist, or band is better than just good. When the music means more than just words, when you can feel it.

About a month before I came to Malawi, Dan took me to see Yonder Mountain String Band live at the Barrymore Theater in Madison. I had never seen them perform live before, but like I said they were a band I listened to on Spotify often. The place was packed. From old people, kids our age, to babies; seats were filled. Concerts like these are amazing; the age range brings something extra to the show. We had a great time. Yonder jammed for like 4 and a half hours. I drank cold New Glarus beer. We danced. And sang. We had fun.

Thinking about this night makes me miss home. It makes me miss going to concerts with friends. It makes me miss snuggling my boyfriend while lying on the carpeted floor. The food I used to be able to grab from the fridge, or cupboard, and eat instantly (without having to first struggle through lighting a fire with matches). The New Glarus beer I could order from a bar on a Friday night….or the bloody mary, with the pickle. Omgosh, yum….pickles. It makes me miss sitting on my parent’s couch and watching football games on TV. And the nights staying up late just chatting and laughing with friends.

The list of things I miss is so much longer, but sitting here listing off those things is not the point of this post….(and it’s really only making me hungrier than I already am; thinking about the food in my parent’s kitchen that is non-existent in my current life).

Although I miss all these things about the States, living in Malawi has allowed me to appreciate them that much more. Especially the support I have had since day one of arriving in Malawi. I’ve always known that God has blessed me with some of the best family and friends that anyone could ask for, but this journey has only exemplified this with the support and love I have received. The amount of letters that have arrived in my PO Box, filled with kind and encouraging words. The facebook messages from old friends checking in. The packages filled with food I can’t buy in Malawi (a special thank you to those of you who have sent packages with food; you will never understand how grateful I am for you, and for that satisfaction my stomach feels). For all of this I am truly thankful.

The song I am listening to is a love song about a soldier who leaves his lover when he is drafted for war. My story is different, but the words hit me all the same. They hit me stronger today, really making me think about what distance can do to one’s heart. I left the United States, the people I love the most and miss while-heartedly everyday (as well as all the amazing options of food haha). But as the lyrics read, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and passion makes the fire bright,” and as I listen to this song my heart truly has been made aware of what this means. I will no longer ever be able to take for granted the relationships in my life, as being 9000 miles away from the people I love the most has shown me how abundantly blessed I am to have these people in my life. The passion I have in loving you all will never dull. The fire will never dwindle.

I only wish for you to know how truly and abundantly thankful I am. Know that I am sending my love from Malawi to whoever may be reading this. I miss you.

#peacecorps