I started a journey that changed all my life. A year ago, I was in my small town within a huge city, working hard, same time falling in love fast. Winter was always special for me but wasn’t precious until I met the person I fell in love with. Very random events made us to work at the same place. Thus we started to know each other. He composed my best winter in my whole life. The place and the culture I came from didn’t allow us live our love freely. However, beautiful winter helped us hide from the things that we are afraid of.
We were so happy every day, every moment that we were together. However, I had a dream. I wanted to come to Michigan to get my Master’s degree. I had faced many barriers until I got acceptance from the University. Finally, he agreed to send me believing in our love and loyalty.
Now, I am here. It’s winter again and February. This a very romantic, spoilt month with full of love. The lake house pictures, that we used to look at, are just here in real. I am strolling around them and now I am taking their pictures. Grand Rapids is full of beauty, makes me feel peaceful. With the technology I started to learn here helps me see my boyfriend. With a small webcam, I show him around. Now, we have our honeymoon plans 
He loves Michigan too and in some time, he wants to come here to see everything closer.
I am getting a great education with very experienced and helpful professors. I never regretted my decision. To get an education and to live here is a chance for me. As opposed to my country, here I can communicate with people easily, without bias. Michigan and its friendly people encourage me to be more successful and they increase my self-confidence. I had many friends from China to Albania. It is really hard being away from my family and my boyfriend but I feel them with me every day. Like my mom said, I know they are proud of me.
