Starting over at 13

A Filipino teen's journey of fear, friendship, and finding oneself in an unfamiliar world

- By JULLIENE DENISSE APORTADERA Middle School student Mark Twain Middle School, Virginia, US

"Child, what would you feel if we moved to another country?

The idea of moving to another country was scary. I've lived in the Philippines for 13 years, and this move was the biggest decision my family was about to make. For two years, I struggled to come to terms with the fact that I was about to take a huge step forward in my life.

Aug. 22, 2024—it happened. I was 13 then, clueless about what awaited me in a new country where I only had my family. I was halfway through my first year as a teenager, and a major event was about to change my life. The realization hit as soon as I breathed the air I never thought I’d breathe. Hugging my dad in that moment felt different—because I knew that no one would leave after that hug. We were finally complete.

The air felt different, too. The car window was down, the sun was rising, and there weren’t many cars on the road. I couldn’t fully take in the moment because I was overwhelmed with the joy of finally being with my dad. But soon, I realized there was more to this than just a reunion—something deeper was unfolding.