Taylor Swift sings, “But I can see us lost in the memory, August slipped away into a moment in time, ‘Cause it was never mine…”

Nine years ago, August 2014, my husband and I hiked the southern rim of the Grand Canyon. That year, I lost a friend. I lost an uncle. I feel like I lost my childhood naivety. I look back on that year and see the impact in the paths I’ve taken.

August 28, 2017, I began the doctoral program in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. I walked into orientation thinking, “They have no idea who they admitted.” There I was stepping into an Ivy League institution with no feeling of belonging, or connection. I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing or making a huge mistake. Little did I know, it was the best decision I ever made.

August 29, 2019, I bought a ticket to see Rhett & Link, Live. I was going to New Orleans, Louisiana and they were playing at the Saenger Theater. Then six months later, the COVID-19 pandemic began. Rhett & Link got me through quarantine. Even now, I watch Good Mythical Morning during breakfast. I didn’t realize until now how much I appreciate their content on YouTube or the community they have built.

From starting and finishing my doctorate as a promise to my uncle. To seeing Glacier National Park, a promise to my aunt. Now pursing a master’s in public health encouragement by my father from years past. Everything seems to originate in the month of August.