Touchdown New York 📍 Stepping into New York’s cool August breeze felt like a homecoming, even though it had been a year since I last set foot here. As I stood on the familiar streets, a wave of nostalgia hit me, triggered by a memory from this exact day last year. It’s funny how time flies, yet some moments feel like they just happened. But this visit brought something even more special. When I arrived at the front desk, I was handed a package sent all the way from Des Moines—by my host family. I couldn’t meet them in person this time, but somehow, they still found a way to connect with me. It’s in these small gestures that we find the deepest meaning. My host family’s kindness reminds me that the connections we build aren’t just temporary—they stay with us, bridging the gaps between places and time. Here I am in New York, but with a piece of Des Moines in my hands, feeling the warmth of their love. This journey is a testament to the lasting bonds we create, and how, no matter where we go, those we care about are always with us.