As we slowly descend from winter break and adjust back to the flow of school, I wanted to reach out and thank you all. Going through one semester of our freshman year at college has put us all through a roller coaster of emotions and tested everyone's endurance to maintain a distanced friendship. Somehow, for a group that had only just begun making their ties the summer before college, we came out of this break much closer. There is something very special about continuing a close bond with your high school friends that makes the distance and the whole idea of keeping in touch even easier. I am lucky to call each one of you my friends.

Thank you for willingly staying up 'til three in the morning. I mean, we only did have a month to spend together since the last "hoorah" in the summer and just a limited few days for Thanksgiving. We've all been through the late nights at school where sleep just was not an option, and together we combined our abilities to pull all-nighters just to catch up on each other's lives and have a great time.

Thank you for going out of your way to show appreciation for one another. From Secret Santa to the many whirlwinds of break, and to possibly the greatest birthday of my life, you've all put your hearts into so much just to make each person in the group feel special and welcomed. We have grown so close in just this short month.

Thank you for overall believing in the group. The strength we've built this past month has proven that nothing can come between any of us. Our bonds are stronger, whether as a whole or even individually among each other. It makes going back to school even harder for some of us, as we've gotten so used to the idea of hanging out all the time with no responsibilities to worry about.

So, thank you high school friends. It's so nice to hold on to the past and share so many funny memories with you all. There are just some things your college friends can't do, like reminisce about the "good ole' days." I'm glad to call you all my friends and thrilled to continue this exciting adventure of life with all of you. There are many good times ahead for us.