Pride and worry walk hand in hand as we watch our daughter take this leap of service. Trusting her courage, we remind ourselves that letting go is part of love.
When our oldest daughter told us she wanted to join the Peace Corps, it was a mix of emotions—pride, excitement, curiosity, and, if I’m being honest, a fair amount of concern.
On one hand, we were incredibly proud. It takes courage and a strong sense of purpose to dedicate two years of your life to serving others in unfamiliar parts of the world. Her decision showed maturity, compassion, and a willingness to step far outside of her comfort zone. We were inspired by her commitment and impressed by her drive to make a meaningful impact.
We realized if she was going to take on this experience, now would be the perfect time in her life to do so. She has no formal commitments and the world is hers. At the same time, as parents, it was hard not to worry.
Naturally, questions came up—where would she be sent? Would she be safe? How would she handle the challenges of living in a completely different culture, often with limited resources and far from home?
We knew there would be moments when she’d feel isolated or overwhelmed, and the idea of not being nearby to support her during those times was difficult. But ultimately, we trusted her.
We knew this was something she needed to do for herself, and we believed in her ability to rise to the occasion. So, we leaned into our excitement, stayed engaged in the process, and reminded ourselves that growth often comes from doing hard things.
