I started college with the same fear that all first years do. How am I going to make new friends? Being away from the people who you've grown up with brings about a whole new challenge. When I chose to go to a different school than all of my friends, I understood the wealth of new opportunities. I no longer would be required to put up with people because there were no other options. Friendships because of proximity were no longer necessary. College friends are unique in that they are the first friends you make and keep up with you solely because they want to, not because they sit next to you in four classes. As I near the end of my first semester, I just want to say thank you to those special first few friends.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being the first people to welcome me in a new and unfamiliar place. Like you, I had no idea where anything on campus was, or where to eat, or how to get home after our first night out. Thank you for getting lost with me. Thank you for exploring a new city with me, and always checking to make sure I got home safely. On top of all of the new stress, people, and places, thank you for being there with a GPS, a map of campus, and a can-do attitude. You make me feel like I can take on the world.

Thank you for eating with me when I was afraid I would have to eat alone. No matter the time of day -- or night -- you were always there. Thank you for not judging my Taco Bell order, and for always being down for Cookout, no matter what the ungodly hour is that I request we go. Thank you for listening to me complain about the quality of dining hall food as I continue to eat it. Thank you for always encouraging dessert, and telling me that the freshman-15 is a myth when we both know you are lying.

Thank you for listening to me vent about how hard my life is, how unfair my teachers are, and how I just want to drop out. Thank you for not allowing me to dropping out, and for reminding me that self-pity is not attractive. Thank you for bringing me coffee and surprising me with food when you know that things haven't gone my way. Thank you for caring about my feelings, and dealing with my whiny moments. Thank you for reminding me that I am an adult, and giving me the confidence to act like one.

Thank you for being my partners in crime. All of our late night adventure will be my favorite memories. You will be considered legends when my kids ask about what my college experience was like. I promise to do you justice. Thank you for being there to accompany me on random beach trips, road trips, and trips to the new Walmart. Thank you for viewing every new day as an adventure. Thank you for feeding into my mischief and never saying no. You fully embraced my wild moments, and taught me how to live to my fullest potential. My ideas are never bad ideas with your support.

Most importantly, thank you for loving me. Thank you for helping me to realize that my fears were baseless. In a place as new as college, I had no option, but to be completely myself. You embraced me for this, and I will always love you because of it. You watched me grow faster than I have ever before in my life and you grew with me. We found our place here together, and I am thankful for that.

Here's to three and a half years more.

With love, Laney.