I looked past my mirror and opened my suitcase. I placed three more things inside; my new shirt, face wash, and tennis shoes. With a beating heart, I caught a glimpse of a picture shoved between some papers on my floor. As I slowly picked it up, I saw my cousin and I years ago at my grandparent’s lake. We had the biggest smiles plastered across our faces and looked as though we just had the best day of our lives.

The sun shined bright through the light clouds in the summer of 2010. The heat radiated from the blaze above and warmed our wet skin. We had just emerged from the water, feeling like fish who could swim for hours. I glanced at my older cousin. She possessed all that I aspired to be. Adventurous, fearless and self-assured with every move she made. Though she was only three years older than me, I did whatever she wanted in hopes of becoming like her one day.  Here at my grandparent's lake, I could see the image of perfection surrounding their house. The area glowed, and not from the sunshine. Their yard was filled with my closest family, with laughter emitted from the porch, all while us kids enjoyed the endless possibilities of fun on a hot summer day. The smell of fresh lemonade and sunscreen has been engraved in my mind to this day, taking me back to beautiful times like this filled with laughter, family, and fun.

After proving ourselves to be the queens of the lake, my cousin and I looked for something else to conquer. We scanned the neighboring yards, hoping to find something worth our time. We both seemed to catch sight of it in the same instant.  Its boards were rotated 90 degrees to the water on both sides, like a twisted string of DNA. The rusted and harmful looking nails stuck out of the varying sides of these boards, threatening a long day at the dreadful doctor's office if we were to be caught by one. Each movement made the boards seem longer and more dangerous to get across. It was an old dock to the right of my grandparents, and though it spelled trouble, we wanted to defeat it. My cousin was eager to get across the dock, while hesitancy crept up inside of me like ice. I wanted to prove myself to her and show her I was strong enough to do the same things she could do but knew the dangers that may come along with it.  

The soft summer grass tickled my feet as we ran towards the dock. We prepared ourselves to endure the treacherous climb. A quick promise was made that we had to make it to the end before we could return; a promise that was mainly aroused by my cousin. She was the one who went first. Even in her young age, she has always been the audacious one in our family. Her daring personality amazed me because of how tentative I could be. Being the older one, I think she felt the responsibility of showing me how to get across, which I greatly appreciated. I followed in her exact footsteps, hoping I wouldn’t make a wrong move. Any false step could mean the end of our sensational day in the sun. We dodged rusty nails that screamed tetanus, and wood with splinters threatening to slice through our feet like shards of glass. Inch by inch we encountered close calls into the shallow water we were practically walking on.

My cousin had reached the end and I knew that I only had a few more steps left until we could say we defeated the untamable dock. Refusing to look at anything besides what's ahead, I kept my mind focused on the task at hand. The platform at the end where my cousin was standing was a safe haven, which was the only thing I allowed myself to see. I jumped onto this sacred ground, feeling my bare feet flat against the hardwood below. I looked at my cousin and she looked at me. All we could do was cheer in our successes and bask in our victory.

We looked at how far we had come as we relaxed for a minute before our triumphant trip back. My cousin offered the lead to me with an extended hand and I gladly stepped forward, proud of what I had accomplished that day.  Inch by inch we adventured back to the mainland gliding over each nail and ignoring each protruding sliver of wood, this time not fearing the unknown. We had done it once, we were champions of the twisted rickety old thing.  Leading my older cousin, I was overjoyed with the sense of bravery I had found within myself. I felt adventurous, fearless and self-assured all the things I had hoped to gain from her. The teeth and claws of the terrifying dock had turned back to boards and nails, each growing less threatening as I passed. My feet met the green grass once again and I stood waiting for my accompanist to join me. Together we had braved the dock.

We ran as fast as our feet could take us to tell the entire family of our heroic adventure. Surprised faces flashed among them as they applauded our great work.  We were met with a popsicle to award our bravery. I now felt as though I could do anything because I had battled the hardest obstacle my young mind could handle. I had never felt this alive and complete. Something felt new inside of me that I would continue to strive for in years to come.  That day the sun glistened brighter and the laughs were a little louder. Now that we have braved the dock, I knew I would be able to find courage in anything I do.

My mom mentioned from the front seat on how I would have the best time going to NYC. I felt the movement from the car once again and noticed how close we were to the airport. Though I was hesitant of what would come in these next couple of hours, I had an undeniable sense of relief. Even while my parents stayed in Michigan as I ventured to the great city that was unknown to me, I knew that I could do it. I knew that I would make the most out of it and not be overpowered by the reluctant feelings that once consumed me. She parked her car in front of the airport entrance. I grabbed my suitcase and carry on bag, and set them on the hard concrete floors. They seemed lighter than earlier today. I hugged my mom goodbye and took off into the abyss of the airport.

Hours passed and my flight was finally called. I grabbed my things and walked toward the entrance ramp. Eventually finding my seat on the plane, I heard the flight attendant announce the usual welcoming and safety regulations. Through the sounds of the engine rumbling and her rambling, I looked down at my flight information. Tucked inside the papers once again I could see our smiles on that warm summer day in 2010. I looked out the window with a sense of comfort in this new experience. Here we go again.