As I begin my senior year at UA, I can't but help reflect back on the last three years that have passed so quickly. Three football seasons watching the Crimson Tide dominate, three years full of classes and internships, three years chock full of memories made in Tuscaloosa with people who now have a permanent place in my life. I could write a book about the mark this place has already left on me, but instead, I'll keep this (fairly) short and sweet and to the point.

Recently, I've heard a lot of soon-to-be and new seniors chatting about how they are so ready to be out of Tuscaloosa. Make no mistake, I was one of them. As I watch 3,000 new sorority members flood our town and freshmen from across the country move into their dorms, the more I think, "leaving this place sounds pretty awful." Tuscaloosa has given me much more than an education in the form of a (hopefully) shiny, beautiful diploma *crosses fingers.* Tuscaloosa has given me nearly all the loves of my life. Tuscaloosa has given me a second home, a place of sanctuary and comfort. Tuscaloosa has given me almost all of my nearest and dearest friends. Tuscaloosa has given me one of the most important people in my life. Tuscaloosa's given me a sorority, a home away from home. Tuscaloosa's been the place where I've found my passion, my people, my niche. Tuscaloosa has given me so, so much more than amazing football and an education. Tuscaloosa has given me more than I could've ever imagined starting my freshman year three years ago.

It's hard for me to fathom how three years has gone so quickly, but I guess when you go to the best school in the nation, and have the ability to attend a place that sucks you right in and makes you feel right at home, it's hard not to feel lucky, even if it all went by in a flash. To my senior friends and peers, I challenge you (and myself). I challenge us to move through each day with gratitude and a smile knowing that we had the opportunity to come to Tuscaloosa, to a University that so many hope and pray to attend, and made a life here for ourselves for the last three years.

I challenge us to step in when younger peers and friends need help, and to put yourself back in your freshman year shoes and remember what that felt like — to not know anyone, to not know your way around, to perhaps be calling your mom or dad every hour having a slight panic attack. I challenge us to move through each day (and through our lives) with a deep trust, that we're on the right path to wherever we are going, to whatever we are supposed to be doing. I challenge us to take in each and every day we have left at this beautiful place, to not wish time away, but to bask in the final months we have left here. I challenge us to live graciously, to thank each and every person we can along the way. And last, but certainly not least, I challenge us all to live each day of the next year with the same pride we had as seniors in high school, knowing we would be attending UA come fall.

Seniors, let's make this final year the best one yet. Roll tide.