“Are you staying or leaving?” In 6th grade, I finally understood the depth of ‘we don’t appreciate the things we have until we lose them’ after my life changed forever. On August 18th, 2016, I had to make one of the most crucial decisions of my life. A decision that made me who I'm. Since I was three years old, my parents have been divorced. I had a typical, ordinary life. I lived with my mom and visited my dad on the weekends. That was my life for a long time until one day, everything changed. My dad decided to leave our native country and move to the US. My parents gave me two options: stay in my native country with my mom, or move to an entirely new country with my dad. “Are you staying or leaving?” My mom asked me with tears in her eyes because deep down in our hearts, we both knew that the best for me was to move with my dad, to leave her, even if it meant for us to be apart from each other for a long time. Considering this decision wasn’t easy, it was overwhelming. I felt like I was in a deep hole with no way out. I wasn’t mature enough to comprehend what was happening, and I couldn’t fit in my head why they would put me through such an awful situation. I did what was best for me, my future, and the person I wanted to become. I decided to move to the US. In two weeks, I packed my entire life into one suitcase. While the days went by and the time for me to leave got nearer, I became more afraid, anxious, and sorrowful. The day that I feared had finally come, I had to say farewell to my mom… Certainly one of the lowest days of my life, I wanted to hold my tears, since I didn't want her to see me mournful, but as soon as I hugged her to say goodbye, I burst into tears; I couldn’t hold it. I felt that I couldn’t breathe and that everything was going downhill. I hugged her so tight because I didn’t know when I would get the chance to hug her again. She burst into tears too, and that completely shattered my heart. At that moment, I started to question if I was making the right decision, maybe I chose wrong, perhaps I had to stay… Six years later, I’m absolutely certain I made the best decision. Without a doubt, moving to this country wasn’t simple; learning a new language and adapting to this new life was challenging. I haven’t seen my mom in six years, and of course, I miss her every day, but I don't regret moving to the US. The opportunities that this country has brought me are immeasurable, and the things that I have accomplished are too. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities, but more than that, I’m incredibly proud of myself. I became the president of the Spanish National Honor Society. I got accepted into amazing clubs and society's at school. I have made my parents, family, and especially myself proud. This may not be the happiest memory someone could ever have, but I know for a fact, that without it, I wouldn't be the person that I'm today. Life doesn’t always turn out the way we want it to, but it is always for a reason. I never thought that I would be writing this, but here I'm, eagerly waiting to see what the future holds for me.