Dear Orlando,

*wrote this in my journal on a flight a couple of weeks ago. now I'm putting in on the internet. Fun!*

Dear Orlando,

The city beautiful.

The home i adopted three summers ago.

The city that helped me find myself.

I am so sorry.

All of my memories of you are blue skies and family time. And then when i moved up to go to UCF, your tone became even brighter for me. One of new experiences and self-discovery and unlimited opportunities. 

Can you believe people lost their lives for being who they are and enjoying themselves? I don't need to know a single thing about politics to know that someone shouldn't have to lose their life because someone else doesn't agree with it. And a person shouldn't have the means to act on such hate. 

Though there have been dark days, I know this is not a dark place. No, this is a city full of light.

Imagining people complexly and treating them with respect goes so much farther than we know. And so does love. Orlando, you've responded with nothing but love, and I honestly expected nothing less.

Ive been repeating “Peace will win, and fear will lose” to myself since last weekend. I need to believe that with all of my heart. 

Even when logic and legislation and everything on this earth fails, the light will always win.

Love is love is love is love, and it will never fail.

Orlando, you will always have my heart.

Breanna