To the sweet school I transferred from,
It wasn’t you — it was me. I’ve just always loved a different school, and for that, I'm sorry. When I toured them it was love at first sight; with you, it just felt like settling. I tried giving you a chance; I made up every reason why I should love you. You were right by the beach, you gave me the opportunity to be in a sorority, and you gave me my best friends. But at some point, that just wasn’t enough. My mom hugged me and celebrated my decision, but even then she knew it was only half-hearted.
The other school was just always in my head. When I thought about going there it put a smile on my face. Oh, to be there and feel the sense of pride that came with walking on campus and cheering on the football team. The major I truly wanted and the colors I loved. I told myself to give you a chance, though, so I did. I put on a fake smile, went to a game or two, and threw myself into work. I took on positions in my sorority for you and was even in the running to be president someday. It just wasn’t enough.
I posted countless pictures day after day with the biggest smile on my face. No one would ever have to know how I truly felt. But in your little dorm you gave me I cried and I cried. I just didn’t understand why you weren’t good enough. I tried to tell my friends but I built up such a facade that no one understood why I would want to leave you. But you always saw and knew that in the end we just weren’t meant to be.
Leaving you was not easy. I was finally going to be with the school of my dreams but you made me question myself. The friends you gave me were so wonderful; the sorority was a dream, so why would I ever want to leave? But then it hit me. You showered me with gifts but you never made me happy yourself. I was surrounded by people and things I loved but was in a place that I never truly loved at all. You allowed me to make the first decision in my life that was solely for me and I thank you for that.
You helped me grow, you helped me learn, and you gave me the foundation I needed to move on. I am here at my new school now and I still think of you from time to time. You were my first years alone, my first college experiences, and the years I will never forget. I’m sorry I had to leave you, but I hope you now understand that I just had to go. I will always have a place in my heart for you and I will always remember all you did for me. I know you’ll make someone else very happy someday.
So here’s to the next two years of being at the place I have always wanted to be. To making new friends, new memories, and having all new opportunities.
Love always,
Brittany
