First and foremost, thank you.

Losing you was one of the toughest changes I've had to adjust to since coming to college, but it was certainly for the best. You have made me value immensely the experiences I've had, the person I am today, and the people who stuck around to see me get here. These are the people who are there for me, no matter what. I am truly content with my life and the people in it, and I wouldn't feel this way if it weren't for you. This is not supposed to be catty. This is not a slap in the face. This is a sincere note of gratitude. My life is better because you were in it and then you weren't.

You were a tough pill to swallow. You were the one person who knew me better than just about anyone else on campus. And you were the one who decided not to keep me around. Obviously, there must have been something fundamentally wrong with me to cause this. I questioned what I did to drive you out, to send you running for the door. I wondered why you chose to keep certain people around, why you continued to confide in others and not me, and I grappled with the idea that I had unconsciously done something so terrible or possessed a quality so repugnant as to make you want to sever all ties with me. But I know now that it was a decision you thought was best for you at the time, and although it wasn't exactly what I would call a graceful exit, I can respect that.

Being a part of your life, although short-lived, was a privilege. Some of my most cherished memories from freshman year feature you, front and center. I can think back on a memory of hanging out your dorm room window just to feel the crisp air and the adrenaline of being young and invincible, leaving snacks (or ketchup!) in each other's rooms during some of our lowest lows and screaming to "Freaky Friday" and "The Middle" during our highest highs, or spilling champagne all over your new jacket on the endless bus ride to our first and last Carolina Cup. I can smile and laugh because you made me happy. You don't anymore, but that's okay. Everything has its time, and ours has come and gone.

I hope that you've found your people—the ones you'll let in further than I could ever go. The ones who will fill your college highlight reel. I have. I'm glad you were one of them. And I'm so grateful that you excused yourself to make room for the next ones.

I hope you think of me sometime. But more importantly, I hope you know that whatever you do, I'm cheering you on from the back row.