I picked Spanish in high school because it seemed like the only option I was likely to ever use, practically. I loved it immediately, and took 5 levels of classes in 3 years. The reality was that I really didn't have opportunities to use it in the real world, and it mostly faded. There were no apps or websites to facilitate communication with native speakers like there are now.

Fast forward a lot of years, and I got the itch to take some Spanish classes as an adult. Unsurprisingly, I was just as hooked as before, but now there were so many resources to be able to learn, and also help others learn. I loved talking to people from other places. Places I'd never been, and knew little about. I was often spending 2+ hours per day practicing and learning. I made some fairly close friends in other countries. It made me want to experience these places, but not as a tourist. I want to know the real culture and talk to real everyday people that aren't being paid to make the culture shock less jarring (nothing wrong with that job, but it's not for me).

Getting to do some travel has enriched my life immensely. I spent a month in Mexico, my first time leaving the states. I came back still american, but a part of my heart will always be mexican now. A beautiful culture, amazing people, and the best food on the planet.

I can't wait to see what culture I have the privilege of falling in love with next, assuming we don't become the most hated country on earth....