Do you know the saying “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone?”

As cliché as it sounds, it couldn’t be more true.

Before the time I was 4, I had lived in England, Virginia and New Jersey prior to moving here to Kansas. My entire family — grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — all live in New Jersey, so Kansas felt like a world away.

When I was younger, I lived for the summer vacations in which we would all be reunited. Kansas merely seemed like a hiccup in the path that would eventually lead to us all being together.

My biggest misconception was that the only place that could ever be my home was where my relatives were.

The moment I first began to realize this was when I got to high school. To me, the idea of high school was kind of like jumping out of an airplane — exciting and terrifying all at once.

Honestly, I never expected to miss high school this much. I thought it would just be another phase in my life I would have to get through to find something more exciting.

To my surprise, it actually became one of the chief events that shaped me into the person I am today.

I owe all of the wonderful things I have found here at Blue Valley to “The Tiger Print.” I don’t know how to explain it, but Room 450 is a magical place.

Mrs. Huss, the best adviser I could ask for, is the perfect mix of a friend and a teacher. Not only is she an InDesign wizard, but a loving and supportive figure as well.

I also found my passion in this room. Photography only became a skill I had to acquire to join newspaper, but now I can’t imagine my life without it.

Those who also call this room their home are a group of remarkable human beings. Somehow, everyone who joins staff is a perfect addition to the newspaper family, bringing smart political humor, a positive attitude or mad design skills to the table.

The friends I have found in this room are what make “The Tiger Print” special. Through all of my bad headlines, poorly-timed jokes, and crazy antics, they still love me just the same. Out of all the things I have here at Blue Valley, the times I have spent in this room with them are the times I will miss the most.

Family to me no longer means just those I am related to.

Family are those who pick you up when you’re down.

Family are those who love you unconditionally.

Family are those who make you a better you.

Now that everything I have known for the past 14 years is being left behind, I now realize how good I had it here. Even though I would like to say I have no regrets in life, my biggest regret is that I didn’t embrace my life in Kansas sooner.

It is here that I’ve found out what things I love to do.

It is here that I’ve found people who love and support me.

It is here that I’ve found the best group of friends I’ve ever had.

I am ecstatic to see what Brooklyn has in store for me, but I don’t want to wish away any of the minutes I have left here in Kansas City, the place I will always call my home.