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Bridge Year Costa Rica – Spring 2026
Freezing Time
By Alain
As I walked up the street, I hesitated, scanning my surroundings with a mix of curiosity, unease and uncertainty about what to expect.
Then, in an instant, I glanced to my left—and froze. There, beyond the door stood an explosion of balloons, banners that read “Happy Birthday!”, and my closest friends and family, beaming with joy.
Voices fluttered as they paved their way into my ears: “Surprise!” My jaw practically hit the pavement as laughter and shouts filled the air. For half a second, I was convinced I was dreaming, and I lifted my hand covering my mouth in disbelief.
I was unsure of what to do, I mean, really, everyone was there for me. Everyone there meant everything to me. It represented what this year has meant to me. And to me, it was an unforgettable moment because for once I knew these were the people I could count on for a lifetime, forever.
As I stood still, my hesitation finally evaporated, and I was swept with my emotions, shifting into a whirlwind of gratitude, love, and pure exhilaration as I ran towards my friends embraced by hugs and laughter. I couldn’t stop smiling, my heart swelling at the thought that all of this—the lights, the decorations, the laughter—had been prepared just for me. The moment felt surreal, I was so excited! All of my emotions, elevated by the adrenaline, prepared to party!
One second went by, and there was so much laughter we were all so excited to see where today would take us.
The next minute, we were playing games, still laughing, while I greeted those who entered. Then, it continued, followed by our silly dance moves and lunch, and a few who had left early.
The next hour consisted of more laughter, so much excitement, a few more goodbyes, but I was on a roll!
I then found myself smashing open a piñata, many more people left, but the party continued!
I continued running around and started opening my gifts, with an immense feeling of gratitude, though a little sad I was unable to thank some families for their gifts since they had left early.
As I looked forward to the next activity, it hit me: we were cleaning up.
I was confused because surely there was still more time, and I still had so much energy because, well it was my birthday. I wanted to feel the way as I did when I heard “Surprise!”: frozen, frozen in time. Part of me already felt the sadness of knowing the moment was slipping away. It’s strange how the happiest moments sometimes become nostalgic before they are even over.
And still, no amount of sadness excuses the unforgiving rhythm of time. It’s really important to stop, breathe, and look around. Really, look around. To look around and take everything within. That moment only happened once, and still I look back and wish I could relive that moment. And I know, next year I’ll feel the same way – and even the following. Sometimes, as humans, we’re so focused on the next thing and the next, we fail to even grasp what’s in front of us.
Still, my birthday was the best day ever. But this isn’t really all about my birthday – this isn’t about my birthday passing over to the next day, but rather the struggle of leaving the memories that I embedded into myself during these nine months abroad.
I was always looking onward – always excited about what was to come: “What’s next?” And there’s nothing specifically wrong with having things to look forward to, but it’s important to acknowledge that that too will have its own moment, unlike any other. Instead of waiting for what’s yet to come – appreciate what already exists: what stands around you, the present.
As this year comes to an end, I look back and my eyes get so teary and foggy, but not my mind. My mind stays clear and painted with so many memories, though I am unable to relive them. As humans, we remember things better when we tie emotions to the memory but those memories only happen once – all of this, it only happens once. That’s the difficult part about memories: we can revisit them in our minds, but never fully return to them.
Ironically enough, this Saturday I will be walking down the same street. Knowing myself, also maybe with the same emotions; but, that is okay. Uncertainty is okay. Uncertainty and excitement doesn’t always mean it has to correspond with the feeling of “getting it over with”, rather embracing what one has in front of them. That same uncertainty has taught me time and time again that everything will be okay.
Just as I opened my blogs back in September, and thus will also end off on the same note. Because the point stands, and it stands to show the truth: todo va a estar bien.
