I didn’t expect to miss America. Like… at all.
I mean, I wasn’t storming out of the country with a middle finger in the air, but I also wasn’t exactly clutching a mini flag and humming the national anthem on my flight to Spain either. When I moved abroad, I did it with open arms and an open suitcase, ready for paella, new adventures, and a dramatic shift in lifestyle. And while I have found so many things to love about my new home, I’ve also discovered something else in the process:
A deeper appreciation for where I came from.
Every time I move, from Tennessee to California, then California to España, I get a little more distance, and with that distance comes clarity. I started to notice the things I took for granted. The weird comforts. The little luxuries. The massive privilege of being born and raised in the U.S.
Because here’s the thing: America is a complicated place. We all know that. The politics can be exhausting, the news can be overwhelming, and the cultural climate often feels like it needs a long nap and a group hug. But despite all that, America holds a lot. And when you strip away the noise, there’s so much to be grateful for.
Like convenience. Oh, the sweet, sweet convenience. I now understand why Americans move through life like we’re on rollerblades. Because in the U.S., things just work fast. Packages get delivered to your door whether you’re home or not. You can get your favorite smoothie, Thai food, and replacement iPhone charger delivered to your doorstep in the time it takes to rewatch a “Friends” episode. In Spain? You’d better hope you’re home, awake, and that your door buzzer works.
Then there’s access. To everything. Curbside pickup on your lunch break? Done. Drive-thrus with seventeen sauces? Absolutely. 24/7 pharmacies? Glorious. In America, it’s not weird to want things now, because you usually can have them now.
And don’t even get me started on influence. Being away has made me realize how deeply American culture travels. Whether it’s through Hollywood, fashion, music, tech, or TikTok trends, the U.S. has its hands in nearly every corner of the globe. People know our actors, wear our brands, and dance to our artists.
But beyond the bells and whistles, there’s the privilege. The quiet, heavy truth that I didn’t fully grasp until I moved overseas. I got the opportunity to live abroad because I’m American. The passport I carry opens doors that others can’t even knock on. That’s not lost on me. Being able to leave my country, explore another, and still have the choice to return? That’s a luxury. That’s freedom.
And yes, Spain has culture. Real, vibrant, centuries-deep culture. I’m not comparing flamenco to the Super Bowl halftime show (okay, maybe a little), but I’ve come to appreciate both in their own ways. I didn’t leave behind culture, I just traded one flavor for another. And it’s only by stepping outside of mine that I started tasting it more fully.
So no, I didn’t expect to miss America. But I do. Not in a homesick, “I want to move back right now” kind of way. More in a “wow, I see you more clearly now” kind of way.
America, you’re messy, wild, overwhelming… and incredible. You gave me the wings to leave, and the roots that still hold strong. I may live somewhere else right now, but that doesn’t mean I love you any less.
Actually, I think I might love you more.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
