Thursday morning arrived with golden sunlight streaming through my bedroom windows—a beautiful day that belied the butterflies in my stomach. I stood before my oversized suitcase, each carefully chosen outfit representing a different facet of the woman I hoped to become over the next few days. The massive bag seemed to mirror my own situation: overflowing with possibilities, yet somehow still not quite enough to contain all my nervous energy. My hands trembled slightly as I folded another blouse, […]