Goodbye, Firenze.

Ten minutes before we leave.
And I'm freaking out, but it's still not hitting me.
Everyone else says there's a pit feeling in their stomachs, but not me.
It'll hit me in a week. When I'm looking at old pictures and then I just start bawling...
I said goodbye to Alece today, but I made sure it was just a simple hug and "I'm thankful for you, I love you, and I'll see you again soon."
I also went to Palazzo Strozzi's Bronzino exhibit.
And then it started SNOWING!
Florence NEVER snows, so I knew this was a gift from God.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your grace. Thank you for the best semester of my life, and thank you for letting me leave in it this pristine condition.

I'm going to miss so much about this place.
I'm going to miss all of the museums and the never-bored-ness.
I'm going to miss everyone looking so nice as they walk along the street.
I'm going to miss not understanding the language but learning from the Italians, and I'm going to miss being forced to use hand gestures and simple nouns as a form of communication. It's funny how you can bond with someone and understand them so well without a language barrier.
I'm going to miss Ricardo and our chats.
I'm going to miss the ISA ladies and the ways they were hilarious and so loving.
I'm going to miss my amazing roommates and the crazy nights we had together singing, dancing, and laughing together.
I'm going to miss my UK girls and the way they always make me laugh and feel right at home. I'm going to miss our conversations and the way that I feel I understand each of them. And I simply can say that I love them so dearly and deeply.
I'm going to miss Chiesa Evangelica and the varied style of worshiping the Lord.
I'm going to miss my street, Borgo SS Apostoli, and walking down the cobblestones after class every day.
I'm going to miss my teachers, especially my Literature Simonetta. She and I bonded, and she's given me a love for my favorite author, Calvino.
I'm going to miss the church bells.
I'm going to miss taking stunning pictures.
I'm going to miss dancing parties in our living room.
I'm going to miss haggling with salesmen.
I'm going to miss the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo.
I'm going to miss the David statue.
I'm going to miss the accessibility of truffles, fresh produce, excellent breads...
I'm going to miss aperitivo and meeting up with my friends and chatting about our weeks and our beliefs over drinks.

I can't imagine myself not in the place after the four months of living in Firenze.

But, I'm excited to come home and take everything back there. I can't wait to share stories and sit and listen to my friends'. Christmas is on my mind and I am so looking forward to having a pine in our house. I can't wait to hug my family.

I'm grateful for the time I've had here. I've loved sharing it, and I've loved writing (almost daily!). I hope to write another blog about the different but still exciting life of a college student at UGA. I hope you'll follow it as well.

Tutto il mio amore.
All my love.
Cat