“You can do this.”
People think it's awesome when I tell them I'm working for Nickelodeon in Times Square. And part of me has to agree; this is probably one of the coolest things I've ever done. But what a lot of people don't know is that I actually wasn't planning on coming here. I didn't want to come here. Not at the beginning, at least. It all kind of happened by accident and when the opportunity presented itself, I really didn't think I could do this. But there was one person in particular that changed my mind, and I want to take a minute to thank him.
When I got an email about interviewing for a position in NYC, I immediately called my dad. I had applied for the job on a whim (truthfully, I had wanted to work in Nashville), and I had decided I didn't even want a summer internship anymore. I told him I didn't want to interview. My dad told me you should never turn down interview experience. So I did it. When Viacom asked me to complete a complicated design project as a follow-up to my interview, I called my dad again. I wanted to tell them no, because why would I invest my time and energy into an application for a job I didn't want to take? My dad told me I owed it to myself to try. So I did it. When I got the call offering me the position, I was baffled. Truthfully, at that point, I still didn't want the internship. It was an honor, but NYC was expensive and far away, and going there meant losing my last summer with my friends. I can't tell you how many times I asked my dad for advice over the next three days. I called. I cried. I had no idea what to do. He told me that ultimately the decision was mine and he would support me no matter what. He told me not to be scared, and to do what I believed in my gut to be the right thing for me. So I did. I accepted the offer.
A few weeks later, my dad and I were on our back porch chatting over a couple of beers. We started talking about New York, because I was leaving in the next few days. He admitted that he felt I had made the right decision, and that he was proud of me and everything I had accomplished to get there. He told me New York City was not going to be easy on me. The challenges were going to be hard and people were not going to be the kindest, but I should never let anyone take advantage of me. He told me that if I ever decided this wasn't what I wanted, he would support my decision to pack my bags and come home anytime. He told me he loved me no matter what, and to be strong and go into this experience with the confidence he knew I had. So that's what I did.
I first started writing this post when I was on the plane ride over here. I've been holding onto it for the past few weeks and I felt it was only fitting to share it today, considering it's Father's Day. I know it's only been a few weeks, but I'm confident in saying this adventure has been one of the greatest things I've ever done. It occurred to me that I wouldn't be on that airplane, I wouldn't have taken this incredible job opportunity, and I wouldn't be sitting at this desk writing these words in Manhattan right now if it were not for my father.
So, padre, this one's for you. HAPPY CHIP'S DAY, CHIP. I'm so sorry that I cannot be there with you today, but I hope you know how much of a blessing it is to call you my father. I am thankful that you see how fearless and strong I am, even when I can't. It's invaluable to have someone who encourages me to reach my full potential, even when I don't know what that potential is -- when I thought I had already found it. Thank you for all your jokes, for cooking great things on the green egg, and for being the biggest fan of this blog. You think I'm brave. You think I'm beautiful. You always see the absolute best in me, and I want you to know that I strive to be the girl you think I am every single day. Thank you for helping me take the steps I was afraid to take on my own, the steps that led me here. This experience is changing my life and my future, and there is absolutely no way I would have done this without your encouragement. I wouldn't be here without you, dad. Happy Father's Day from New York City.
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