It was us against the world.
We always would care for each other,
Don't get me wrong I know you still love me.
I've known every little thing about you since I was tiny.
You love bats and frogs.
You want everyone in the world to love each other.
You are too kind for your own being.
You love to travel and expand your horizons.
You were always breaking hearts,
         even before Mom let you Date.

At least I knew all of this until you got out of college,
           when your views changed.

Now, who knows what you love.
You still break hearts but you also now cut ties.
You still love traveling but struggle to keep traveling.
You still are the kind person I know,
        but it fails on the people who love you most.
You want everyone in the world to love each other,
         when you can't even love your own parents.
I hope you still love bats and frogs because that's the one thing I know.

You missed me growing up.
I looked up to you In every way.
We got matching build-a-bears to keep each other safe when away from each other, but I threw mine away when you said you were never coming back to the States
I finally donated all the shoes you gave me so that way you didn't have to.
You would always dump hand-me-downs on me,
just so you weren't the one getting rid of it.
I miss you and want you home, but I'm not going to fly to see you.
I want you to come home.
I want you and Mom to make up.
Dad would text you happy birthday if he had your number.
Every first day of spring Dad walks and says wow it's "Libby's Birthday today!" then remembers your nowhere nearby.
All we have left of you is your pillow pets, jewelry, and old prom dresses.
Mom and dad would make up with you in seconds if you just say sorry. You are their daughter,
Come home an learn that I'm not 8 years old anymore,
Learn to love Gracie instead of missing Ben and Pi,
Meet the Puppy, she would love as much as she loves me.
I want you back in my life as long as you want me back in your's.

I’m from living my life through video games
Listening to music to drown the bellowing voice of my father
Sleeping through my life

I am from trees for climbing
Horses for riding
Dogs to love
The oak and maple trees in the front of
The house that I’ve grown up in

I am from twice baked potatoes and sweets my mother bakes
I’ve come from the hard workers of Iowa
People who hide their emotions at all costs to not show softness

The “keep to yourself” to “go socialize” and “make friends”
“watch your mouth” and “don’t be so loud”
“get off your computer” or “don't be on your phone”

Staying up every Sunday night for the new Rick and Morty episode
Watching any new cult Netflix shows
Waiting for season three of Stranger Things
Time between filled with Youtube

In my room Bob the traffic cone that has more of a story than me
a book filled with drawings
A dresser filled with books and memories
A computer full of video games
A part of me people don’t know

From the pizza and balloons on Valentine’s Day
The chocolate macaroons and puppy chow around Christmas
Turkey noodle soup after Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner
All the potatoes I can eat in a night when they are made.

Most importantly I come from San Diego, California and Illinois Born and raised Parents
Traveling with my mother and siblings
Having sand between my toes
Loving the life I live and every moment of it.