In the theme of Thanksgiving, I would like to write an open letter to my high school best friends who deserve a lot of appreciation from me. My high school friends deserve so much more than a simple letter of thanks, yet here I am to try and compose my thoughts into a small article that will not nearly express my gratitude for them. It feels oddly appropriate to write this article considering that four years ago we were beginning our separation as we were applying to different schools.

Whether we were close acquaintances, friends only during class or besties that were inseparable every second of our high school lives and beyond, it is safe to say my high school had a tight-knit environment that formed special bonds among us. I cannot describe or begin to describe my high school experience with some of the amazing people I met who in fact, to this day I still keep in contact with.

Leaving high school to go to college was probably one of the harder things I had do in my life, and some may agree with this. Sometimes I look at my high school friends as a long distance relationship. You part from each other, try and keep each other updated on your life, and when you see each other, all is right in the world.

Even if we are only a couple hour car drive away from each other now, it feels like states apart. Snapchats, random phone calls and weekend visits do not compare to what we used to share. I think it is safe to say that I would trade another seven-hour school day to sit next to my best friends instead of a four-hour car ride just to see them for a couple of days. I never thought I would miss waking up at six in the morning only to drive to school to be pleasantly surrounded by my friends the second I arrived at my locker.

The inside jokes, pictures I have hanging on my wall and collection of sweatshirts and people’s other clothes reminds me how lucky I am to have such genuine friends. My high school not only provided me with exceptional friends, but friends I know I will have for life.

I know that in a few short days we will be reunited for Thanksgiving break and all time that has passed since we last saw each other will feel like no time has passed at all. We will continue to make fun of each other, laugh and reminisce. I truly cannot wait for that. Thank you for being my best friends that I could ever ask for.