I have made, and lost, more friends in my first three months of college than I have in my entire life...

Being in a new environment has forced me to become very close with people who were complete strangers to me just a short time ago. Some I met immediately and some I met a few days ago, but its not the length of our relationships that matter. Instead I have found that it is the quality of the relationships that stick out the most. You can spend every waking moment with someone for a month and wake up one morning to realize you know nothing about them. But then there are those people that you meet later in the school year and with them you immediately feel like they've known you forever. I'm not saying one type is better than the other, every person in your life fulfills some sort of need that you have and you meet them all for a reason. However, I can definitely say that I have just realized that not everyone here will be a life long friend.

To the ones that I met immediately:

You all got me through the transition into a new and rather scary place. This is something that I will always be thankful for. You guys were my crutches and you got me through the first few lonely nights. You truly made me feel like I would be okay here.

I look back on my first few weeks of school in a bittersweet way. We bonded over countless sleepless nights full of laughter and tears, late night Papa John's orders, and of course way too many rescue missions. There was never a dull moment when the original group was together and we were each other's sanity when things got tough.

We all had grown so close so quickly whether we were watching sports, tucking someone into a makeshift bed beside the toilet, singing our hearts out, or shuffling our way to the CUB for a late night snack. I miss it all so much, but I know that we fulfilled our purposes in each other's lives. Our chapters have ended and we have had to go our separate ways. The goodbyes were mainly left unsaid, although we all knew when it was truly over.

The reality now is that most of you met other friends as the time has passed and our friend groups have all shifted. There are days that go by where you hardly cross my mind, but that doesn't mean that I forgot about any of you. In fact, you guys are the ones here that probably know me the best.

I was open minded and my guard was completely down when I first stepped foot on campus. You saw the real me quicker than anyone else has in my entire life. But now, thanks to losing you all, my wall has been built much higher than it ever has been. I'll thank you for reminding me that not everyone deserves to know me so personally. I'm sure that I will pass you in the dining hall tomorrow and maybe this time I will say hi to you.

To the ones I have recently met:

I hope that you guys are in it for the long haul, I really like you guys and the friendships we have started. We bonded over the stories of our first friend groups falling to pieces and I hope that the past pain that we share will keep us from making those same mistakes again. You guys have been in my life for the least amount of time, but I can feel our bond already holds something stronger than most friendships I've had in my life.

We became close because we had common interests and actually got along really well, not simply because we were lonely. You guys are the ones that I can see myself calling in five or six years to reminisce on our memories. I wouldn't trade you guys for anyone else and words cannot describe how much I am looking forward to what is in store for us as we continue on our college adventure.

For all of you:

I'm the kind of person who gives my entire heart to someone that I care about, which means that I get hurt rather often. Yeah it sucks to piece myself together when someone leaves, but it also means that I am an amazing person to have on your side. I'll be that friend to come clean your dorm after a long weekend, the one to walk campus with you at night because you need to clear your mind, and I'll always be the one to veg out on the couch and binge watch Netflix with you.

I love you all, whether or not we speak anymore, you guys have brought me out of my shell and made me stronger. I will never shut any of you out of my heart completely, even if you shut me out of yours. I'm always here for any of my friends no matter how long it has been since we spoke last. Thank you to all of my college friends, and cheers to the many memories we are going to make together.