I graduated on Monday, June 13th, and I cried (yes, surprise, surprise).
I really didn't expect to, but my mom started and then it hit me that this has been their dream since we moved here. It was very emotional.

My dad had been planning for this day to come since before I was even born. It had finally arrived, the day we left Trujillo and began our journey to the United States. My dad, mom, older brother Juaneco, and my younger sister Nathaly and I said our goodbyes, and man was it hard. I can hardly remember that day, but knowing how hard it is leaving just when we visit now, it must have been 1000 times worse knowing that Trujillo would not be our home anymore. Knowing that there we were going to face language barriers. Knowing that family was going to be farther than just a taxi ride away. Knowing that we didn't totally know how this new life was going to play out. It was even harder because our family was separated. My older sister Karim had to stay behind for 2 years before we could be all together.
This was 15 years ago.
My parents' dream for us coming here was to obtain a good education and have more opportunities at life than was available in Peru. I was seven and definitely did not understand my dad's decision to come here. Graduating from college has marked a huge milestone not only in my life, but also my whole family's. I came to tears realizing the fact that I had achieved my parents' dreams. 15 years of hard work and starting over in a new place where we did not even understand the language, had finally paid off. Choosing to have a higher education was my choice, but in a way it was also for my parents.
I could go on and on about the last 15 years, about my parents having to work jobs that were totally opposite of their own education, and all that growth in between; but I just really wanted to write this as a thank you to my dad and mom. Without my dad's big dreams and my mom's huge support, my family would not be here today. My older sister is married with two great kids and going after her own dreams! (Though I know school is hard now, Karim, it will pay off in the end!). My brother has a wonderful, caring partner, Jennifer, and a wonderful son, Jordan, and has a great job and can still play soccer ;) making my dad proud of course. He is living his own dream too! Nathaly is currently in school and has achieved so much. She has really grown into a beautiful person and a good friend of mine.
Karim, Juaneco and Nathaly, thank you too for the support you have given me these past 4 years and for giving me encouragement when I didn't want to keep going. Even if it was as little as inviting me over to eat during stressful times or calling me and saying I love you.
Papi, te quiero con todo mi corazon. Thank you for your support and for pushing all of us to do our best.
Mami, adoro tu personalidad. I love how you notice the least of these and how you show Jesus' heart through your personality and actions.
I don't think I can thank you enough for helping all of us get to where we are today.
I am blessed beyond understanding.
And for all of this, I am grateful and my heart is filled with joy.