Do you remember that very first drive out to Lubbock?

Or even that short plane ride?

My senior year of high school was challenging because I was still going back and forth as to whether or not I was going to play college golf or just become a full-time student.

I remember like it was yesterday—our school had canceled classes because of an ice storm in Dallas, but the airport was open, and we still had a flight. Once arriving in Lubbock, it was freezing cold; it had to be 14 or 15 degrees. We pulled up to the administration building and all I could think was, "what am I doing all the way out here?" I had always been interested in Oklahoma State, and I thought that’s where I was meant to be.

Turns out God had another plan for me. After touring campus and shivering for an hour I knew that this was going to be my new home. Now, four years later, I’m dreading the day I have to pack up my apartment and leave. I’ve made lifelong friendships, seen amazing basketball wins in overtime, and I’ve gotten to see what Lubbock is really about. Do I regret not playing college golf? Sometimes yes, but at the same time I realized that this was the right choice and because of that, I’ve listed three main reasons as to why I’m dreading leaving Lubbock after graduation:

1. The friendships

We’ve all had roommates before and at times you may wish you just lived alone. I’ve met some of my best friends because we were roommates. We go to tailgates together, we rotate on cooking dinner, and we support each other. Even the people you meet through classes, those are also friends that you’ll have for a lifetime.

2. The West Texas sunsets

There's nothing better than a West Texas sunset. While driving into Lubbock from Dallas or any of the surrounding areas, you're bound to be blinded by the sun. Whether you were driving home from class or watching it from The Roof after a Saturday at The Jones, those sunsets will be forever engrained in your memory.

3. The University

There's something special about Texas Tech that no other University can comprehend. The true livelihood and the genuine people who are from here are just a few things. To see The Jones packed on Saturdays and everyone cheering the Raiders on to victory (except this season lol we'll get 'em next year).

While I don't graduate until August, no matter what Lubbock will always have a special place in my heart.