As these final few days of my freshmen year come to a close, I can't help but look back at where I started this year and where I am ending it. I am two completely different people, and this is for the better. I walked into this year, and I was young, naive, and scared. I did not know how to live on my own, or how to do my laundry, or even how to take care of myself. Now, I leave this year so much stronger than I was. I am independent, and I am so happy.

This year was a year of firsts. A lot of them. But I survived them.

But I could not have done it without the people who helped me along the way. The people who were there at the beginning, the people who are here as it ends, and the people who I lost along the way. All of you have contributed to the person I am today. And I am so thankful for each one of you.

To My First Ever Roommate,

Wow am I beyond thankful for you. We met on Facebook, and we talked endlessly setting up our room and our lives together; neither of us had any idea of what we were about to get into. From long nights to really early mornings, from skipped classes to the Flu outbreak, from sharing clothes to sharing so many memories, from laughter to tears, from hugs to fights, and from random roommates to best friends. I could not have gotten through my freshmen year of college without you. You were there from the absolute beginning, and I am so happy that we get to close this chapter together. I am so thankful that I found a permanent friend in you, no matter what happens.

To My Bid Day Buddies,

Thank you for bringing me into a sorority that I was able to meet my best friends in. I do not know what I would do if I would have never let you two into my life to change it forever. You opened my eyes to a world that was only in my imagination, and I am so happy that I haven't blinked since then! You two made my life 400 miles from home so much better, and I could not have made it through without y'all.

To The People Who Left Me Along The Way,

You never really and truly miss someone until they are gone. And I miss you. But you are the reason I am so strong now. I lost friends along the way, old and new ones. I lost people that I never thought would leave, but they did. I lost people that meant the entire world to me. But my world is still spinning without you all here. It was hard. And it was really really hard at times. But I am okay now. And I have learned that not everyone is meant to be in your life the whole time; some people are just here for a little bit, then you go two separate paths, that may or may not ever cross again.

To My Floor,

7th Heaven will always be in my heart. The 7th floor were my first friends here, and even though we are all going in different directions, we got each other through some of the most important weeks of our college lives. I don't know what I am going to do when I can't just walk into your rooms and steal your food or vacuum or blankets.

To My Best Friends,

I am the most thankful for you people. You are all weird, and different, and unique, and smart, and stupid, and the most perfect people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. And I am so happy that a sorority took so many different personalities and put them together. Y'all are my favorite people I have met in college, and I cannot believe I lived 18 years without y'all. You put a smile on my face at all times, especially when I am getting roasted in the group text. Three months without y'all is going to be the hardest thing ever, but thank God for road trips! I cannot wait for endless movie nights, countless late night talking sessions, binge eating potatoes, walking up the Roosters stairs hand-in-hand, and too many frat laps when we get back. I can't imagine my life without you people, my forever friends.

Freshmen year was hard, and it was tough. But it was too short, and it was one of the best years of my life. We're not here for a long time, but we are sure as hell here for a good time. See you people in August.