Many of you have followed Morgan’s journey abroad in Italy and then to London. Watching your child step out into the world is a lot like opening a bottle you’ve been saving for years — full of anticipation, a touch of anxiety, and the hope that what’s inside will be even more remarkable than you imagined. When my daughter announced that she’d be spending her junior year of high school in Italy and her freshman year of college in England, I knew she was going to have experiences that’d shape her in ways no classroom in Dallas ever could.
It started with a bold decision: Spending her junior year of high school in Italy. I remember the day she boarded that plane, her suitcase packed with more curiosity than clothes, her heart open to a world of possibility. While I’ve always loved Italy for its patchwork of wine regions, rolling hills, and passionate people, I watched her fall in love with the country in her way. She had an amazing host family. She learned to navigate cobblestone streets, order espresso in flawless Italian, and embrace a culture where meals are meant to be savored and every day is a celebration of life’s small pleasures. She returned home not just fluent in a new language, but with a confidence and independence that only comes from living outside your comfort zone.
But her adventure didn’t stop there. Next up England for her first year of college. It was a shift to a world of navigating the London rain with an umbrella, historic campuses, and a new set of cultural rhythms—from mastering the art of afternoon tea to navigating the traditions and academic rigor of Northeastern’s university life. She made friends from around the globe, tackled challenges with resilience, and discovered that “home” can be wherever you choose to plant your roots.
Now, as she’s returned to Dallas, I see a young woman transformed. She’s a seasoned traveler, a global citizen, and someone who approaches life with empathy, adaptability, and a sense of adventure that inspires everyone around her—including me. Much like the wines I love to write about, she’s been shaped by the places she’s been, the people she’s met, and the experiences that have aged her into someone truly extraordinary.
Her journey reminds me that the best stories—whether in a glass or in life—are those that embrace the unknown, celebrate growth, and leave you forever changed. And as her mom, I couldn’t be prouder to raise a glass to the remarkable woman she’s become.
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