Dear Professors,

It's been almost five years since my first day of college. In that half-decade, I've experienced a great deal of change: some of it was me changing, some of it was the college changing. One thing never changed, though: the best part of college was you.

On the ride home from my first visit day/audition, I talked about how amazing the faculty were. How you didn't make me feel small, even when I messed my audition piece up beyond all recognition. Sure, the campus was gorgeous, the program was interesting and the college was unique—but the professors, Mom.

Thanks to our tiny college (shout-out to SMWC!), we spent a lot of time together. Most of you saw me from my first day as a nervous little freshman all the way through to my very last credit hour. Some of you I had one random class with, but chatted with you in the hallway every week still, a year later. You tried to teach me everything I would need to be successful, and you did it well.

A year out in the "real world" later, I can see that you were teaching me so much more than what was on your syllabi. While I was learning music, philosophy, language, math, writing, research and history in your classes, you also taught me:

1. To trust the process.

I was always impatient; ready to move on to the next thing, or frustrated with myself for not "getting it" or being where I thought I should be. You were always there to encourage me, supporting me when I doubted everything -- even you. It took me six semesters to believe you when you saw potential and growth that I couldn't see in myself. Learning is a process full of trust falls, and you caught me every time.

2. To push my comfort zone and never accept mediocrity.

My innate fear of failure often kept me from branching out and moving to the next level. You knew when to push me, and when to let me learn the proverbial hard way. Looking back, I find many times that I now know you were setting me up for success, even when I felt like you were pushing me too hard. The blessing and curse of professors that know you well is that... they know you well. You knew I was easy on myself, and you knew all my excuses. Although I didn't like it at all at the time, I'm grateful now that you didn't let me get away with half-hearted attempts.

3. That with much love, comes much sacrifice.

While I know I never truly saw the whole picture, I noticed. I noticed that your office lights were still on after dark. I noticed you eating supper at your desk. I saw your planners open, with very little white space left. I know that you were doing the work of two or three people, because that's the nature of a small, small school. I know that you have lives and families and obligations outside of your role as professor that you carefully balance. I also know that you love what you do, because why else would you go through all of that? We all know it's not for the glamorous pay and the "summer vacation." (I also know most of you don't get one of those, either.) By watching you, I learned a little of what it means to embrace something that's not always easy to love, and to put your heart and soul behind your passions. You aren't thanked for all the work we don't see-- but know that the glimpses I caught were inspiring.

4. To embrace what makes me unique.

Admit it, I was a complete nerd in college. (Still am, by the way.) I was the student much more at home in the poetry stacks than a party, which doesn't make for a very popular person your freshman year. I let others' opinions of me squelch my self-confidence, and you noticed. Whether you allowed me to tackle an unusual project, gave me space to try my own ways of doing things, encouraged me to speak up or tossed some fuel on whatever fire I had burning that week (remember the whole "history-of-liberal-arts-education-movements" bender I was on? Yeah...), it was your kindness and encouragement that allowed me to open up and take pride in my skills and interests. Even if my peers didn't get me (which happened often), I took heart in knowing you did.

5. That I have a tribe.

I haven't sat in your classrooms in a year and a half, yet I'm still connected with you. Whether you helped me finish out those last few internship credit hours, kindly wrote me yet another reference letter, "liked" my Facebook photos, sent me articles you think I would like or met me for lunch when I'm in town, I am grateful for all the ways that you are still a part of my life. I enjoy every chance I get to talk to you, because you are all incredible people. Jumping headfirst into adulthood is, frankly, terrifying. Way more than your classes ever were. Sometimes, I wish more than anything I had a syllabus and a textbook back. But, growing up and growing out is what we are meant to do. Knowing that you are still cheering me on, that you are proud of me and that you will still answer your email when I need a reference letter again (or just need to talk) makes it so much easier to be brave.

And I am cheering you on, too. I'm proud of you. Proud to have been your student. Thankful for everything you taught me, both in your classroom and out of it.

Stay awesome.