Looking back, a lot of things have changed in the past few years. I now go to school seven hours away from home. Just a slight six hours and 55 minutes more than the drive to my high school was. My brother now lives two hours away. I went from wearing maroon, white and grey with "Riverside" on it, to wearing a pattern of green and tan with "U.S. Army" across it. I traded my baseball cleats and soccer boots for combat boots.

But things change. That's part of life. However, there is one thing that hasn't changed. That is the group that has been with me since playing cops and robbers around our neighborhood and little league from Whomsley to West Avenue. Yes, the group has gotten smaller and smaller throughout the years, especially since I left for school, but it just makes me appreciate the ones still here even more.

I have been to three different countries in the past year including Belgium and Cuba, but my best memories were made in the little speck on the map called Riverside, New Jersey. Whether it be hanging out in the back yard or walking around until the sun comes up, coming back home will always be better because of my friends.

It's inevitable that some of our paths will pull us apart and we won't be able to argue over who gets the aux cord anymore (I'm looking at you, Sam) but we know the memories will always be with us. There's not many people who I can stay close with after not being here for nine months out of the year.

So, I don't say it a lot, but thanks to all of you for being real friends and making coming home always worth it.