Everyone has those special friends they think about when they think of their time in college. For some, it’s the people you sat next to on the first day of class, and how those freshman year friends helped you get started on the crazy ride of college. For others, it’s the people you met in a club or activity, bonded over a common interest or major. For me, I think the friends I will think back on most fondly are the friends from my senior year of college. The ones who maybe only really became part of the group during my last year of college, but the ones who made the biggest impact in my life.

Every year of college, I became a little more “me.” As time passed, I figured out who I was and what I wanted in life, and by the time my senior year came, I was finally comfortable enough with who I am and with who I chose to share with others.

So, this article is a shout-out to the group of people I was lucky enough to spend my last year of college with. Fam, thanks for the memories. Love you, mean it.

First, is that friend who has been around since your freshman year. The person who somehow defied the odds and stuck it out with you. Even when you went through that weird phase. They stayed around through all the changing of majors, the meltdowns, the “I know exactly what I want to do with my life now,” and the “I’m freaking out because I have no idea where my life is going” moments. You either don’t even remember how the two of you became friends, or you have that “CAN YOU BELIEVE!” story of how you became friends. The one that only the two of you know, because no one else in your group has been around since the very beginning to remember it. This friend is special. They call you on all your crap, mostly because they were there and know when you start exaggerating your story too much. This is the person that is also graduating with you… The one who freaks out with you over every monumental milestone that comes along with the senior year. The last band camp. Last first day of classes. Last football game. Picking up your cap and gown and more. At least with this person, you aren’t the only one crying, out of the blue, for no rational reason…

The next is the friends who came along over the years. You don’t really remember at what point they became family, but you certainly can’t imagine making it through college without them… You know they aren’t seniors, and you know they aren’t freshman, but those middle years are practically the same anyway… So, you’re always getting them confused, and constantly being corrected as to exactly how much longer they have until they are in your shoes. It's okay, though, you just hope they cherish every moment, because once they hit senior year, they’ll be wishing they were jun-mores (or somewhere in there) again.

Last, but certainly not least, is the freshman that managed to work their way into the group. The one who seems like they have been there the whole time, but also brings a breath of fresh air to everything you do. They remind you of what a wonderful time college has been, and how thankful you are for every moment of your journey. They still get excited over little things, like Wal-mart runs (which by your senior year become more of a necessity than a way to waste time). The freshman of the family keep things exciting, and you love them more than they will ever realize. Even if they have only been around for a year, they have left a lasting impression in your life. They remind you of your own freshman year and the cool seniors that you hung out with. You can only hope that you are as impactful to them as your seniors were to you.

If you let it, your senior year can be the roughest year of college. One foot already out of the door. You no longer enjoy the silly things you did before, and you spend all of your time thinking of finding a full-time job and being a “real adult.” You may even have an app on your phone counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until your graduation ceremony begins… (Guilty…)

But, take a moment to enjoy the friends around you. The ones who made it until the end. The ones who celebrate the exciting moments with you, and let you cry when you start spazzing over the latest “last” of whatever event happened that day. The ones who aren’t afraid to tell you how much you will be missed when you leave, and how EVERYTHING will be different without you. Let them love you and cherish you while you have the opportunity.

Then, love them back. Love them fully and without reservation. Tell them how thankful you are for them and how much you’re going to miss them. Have a family night on a weeknight, even when you all have assignments due the next day. Take silly pictures, play lots of games, and eat good food. Do life together.

Cherish every moment. Because all my senior friends, graduation is coming. Faster than we could ever wish…