I just finished my last promotions at my karate dojo. I tested (some of) my students, shook their hands as they were promoted, helped with the demonstrations, and was once again reminded of what an amazing group of people I will be leaving behind when I leave for college this fall. Karate has afforded me a million fantastic experiences over the years; looking out over rows of happy, proud students (with their proud parents behind them), with new stripes and new belts, knowing what it took for them to get there, and being so proud of them for it, is another memory that I am so lucky to be able to take with me when I go out into the world.