Coming to America

Coming to America: A Dream Realized

As a little girl, I always wished and dreamed about what it would be like to live in America. From the shows and movies I grew up watching, the U.S. seemed like the place to be—cooler, more fun, and full of exciting possibilities. I wanted my teenage years to be just like the characters in High School Musical, Hannah Montana, or Suite Life on Deck. Those shows shaped my childhood dreams.

Fast forward to my high school years back home in Zambia—moving to the United States became much more than what I had seen on screen. Deep down, I still wished for that dreamy American teen life, but my desire to move became rooted in something even more personal: reuniting with my mother. I hadn’t seen or met her in person since I was just one year and six months old—a baby too young to remember what it felt like to have her around.

Over the years, my mom and I kept in touch through phone calls, letters, pictures, and emails. I also built a connection with my two siblings, who were born in the United States. The older I got, the more I longed to deepen those relationships. But time, distance, and being on two different continents made that connection harder to maintain.

For years, I prayed for the chance to move to the U.S.—and in 2021, after 20 years, that dream finally came true.

Leading up to the big move, I was filled with a mix of emotions: excitement, anxiety, joy, sadness, and even fear. Fear of leaving behind my home, my life, my friends, and everything I had ever known. But the joy of reuniting with my family, starting fresh, and stepping into a world of opportunity outweighed the fear.

In September 2021, I landed at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) and whispered to myself, “I really am here.” Meeting my family for the first time was emotional—warm embraces, teary eyes, and overwhelming joy. I really am here. What a dream it had been.

Adjusting to life with my parents wasn't easy. I had my own worldview, routines, and lifestyle built over the years. At times, I felt like an outsider because my family had built their own rhythms too. But with time, patience, and love, we learned to merge our worlds. Since then, it’s been a beautiful experience—becoming part of the family I had wished and longed for since I was a little girl.

Getting to know my family and settling into life in the U.S. has been eye-opening. There were so many culture shocks—drive-throughs for almost everything, driving on the opposite side of the road, the weather, and just how different everyday life is here compared to Zambia. It’s been quite the adventure, this journey of Coming to America.

And in all of it, I’ve learned one powerful lesson: how to manage expectations, and how to navigate the space between dreams and reality.

Thank you for reading—see you in the next one!

With love,
Tina