It is that time of year again, time to go back to our different colleges and leave our little hometown behind. This time we are another year older and (definitely not that much) wiser. We are sophomores.

Nothing could be worse than having to say goodbye to each other before going into our freshman year of college. We were so afraid then. We were afraid to move away from the only place we had ever called home. We were afraid to be more than a five minute drive away. We were afraid of not seeing each other every day. Although none of us would admit it, we were afraid we would grow apart now that we had hours and miles between us. During that goodbye we cried. We cried for our nerves and for our anxieties. We cried because we would truly just miss one another. We stayed outside of our cars for what seemed like hours but was only minutes. We all gave one final, quick-yet-meaningful hug and drove away.

We went away for our freshman year of college and started a brand new phase in our lives. We all loved it and it changed us in our own unique ways. Despite this love for our new places, it was hard to be apart at times. I missed you. Time passed faster than I could have ever predicted. We came home for weekends, winter break, and then summer. Each time I was relieved that we could pick up exactly where we had left off the time before.

In just one year so much has changed for all of us. We are now excited to go back to school. We are not scared anymore. We do not cry but we notice there is a bittersweet feeling in the air. There is so much I have wanted to say to you in this past year, and I have not known how to say it or when is the perfect time. Yet, you need to now.

I am so happy you fell in love. I am happy you fell in love at your new school in a way you could not at home. Whether you fell in love with the campus, your classes, a person, or your extracurricular activities. I am overjoyed that you found the place that is perfect for you and your specific needs as a student and a person. I am so excited that because you fell in love you have the opportunity to be completely happy. You can transform into the person you are really meant to be.

I feel very connected to your new friends, even if I have never met them. It might sound strange but we have a very valuable connection. You. We share the same best friend. They are there with you when I cannot be. They comfort you when you are sad, stressed, or overtired. They have seen every great quality that I have gotten to see for all of these years. They get the great honor of being best friends with one of the most supportive, beautiful and caring people I know. I hope that they know just how special you are and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.

I am always here. I am here for whatever you need. From a like or comment on your latest Instagram picture to helping you decide if you should change your major. No issue is too big or too small for me. I would spend all the hard-earned money that I made this summer to come see you if you needed it.

Most Importantly, Thank you. Thank you for the late night drives around town. Thank you for all the days we ate chips and salsa by the pool. Thank you for every single laugh. Thank you for tearing up when you see me cry. Thank you for each and every memory. Thank you for making your family my family too. Thank you for having a friendship with me that I could never outgrow. Thank you for being able to support me and recognize our individual strengths rather than having to compete against one another. Thank you for constantly evolving and making me the best version of myself. Thank you for loving and supporting me from miles away. Thank you for always putting effort into our friendship. Thank you for every little thing that I could not possibly list.

I understand now that most people aren't lucky enough to have even one friendship like ours and we each have three. With one year under us I know we can do this again. We will not be scared and we will not cry (hopefully). This is not goodbye, it is not even see you later. I know we will be texting in our group chat in the next thirty seconds. You make my life worth living and I love you dearly. I hope your sophomore year is everything you want and more. I cannot wait to hear all about it soon.