I'm sitting here at my empty desk, surrounded by my backpack, a bag of clothes and a blanket. I just finished taking most of my belongings down and loading them into the car for my mom to take back home. As I am sitting and reflecting on the past school year, I begin to realize the one reason why this year was so amazing. The freedom was nice, the classes were not too horrible, I managed to declare a major and I joined some great organizations. But the main reason why I had the best year of my life so far this year, my freshman year at Capital, is because of the people I was surrounded by. In this realization, it seemed right to make my first Odyssey piece a dedication to the people who have completely changed my life for the better. So, without further delay, here is my letter to the most amazing people I have ever met.
Beloved College Friends,
I remember right after graduation last May I started praying that God would provide a community of people to be surrounded with unlike anything I had ever had before. A genuine group of people who loved me for who I am and that would push me to grow every single day. I remember moving in and losing hope, as I became surrounded by a lot of people that were nice, but were not like me in the slightest. But as time passed, I went to more events and got involved in some great organizations (shoutout to Young Life and Cru), I began to meet like-minded people. However, I did not realize that the small acquaintances that I had, the people who I would eat lunch with so I wasn't alone, would quickly grow into the most incredible friendships I had ever had.
People I had only known for a few months became my best friends. The people who I eat dinner with every night at 5:30. The people who I can be vulnerable with and instantly be flooded with love and encouragement. The people who never make me feel like I am too much or not enough. The people who remind me every single day that I am loved not only by them, but I am unconditionally loved by our Creator. The people who enjoy my random hiccups and snorts, and appreciate that I laugh at just about everything. The people who are willing to go to rising park at night even if it means getting stopped by the cops. The people who stay up until three in the morning to hold me while I cry and try to process through my feelings. The people who push me to continue using my talents and gifts to glorify God. The people that I am blessed to do life with every single day.
When I came to college, I did not realize that the brothers and sisters in Christ that I met would really become like my brothers and sisters. I have protective, Godly men by my side, and I have most definitely met my future bridesmaids. Thank you all for the ways that you encourage and love me. I am so thankful for GroupMe and FaceTime, otherwise I would go absolutely insane over the summer. While not seeing all of you may be the hardest thing that I have ever had to do, I am thankful that there are only 102 days until I get to see all of your wonderful faces again. Thank you for being your beautiful selves, and thank you for being my friends. I am grateful beyond words that God has allowed these friendships to cultivate over the past year, and I am looking forward to the next three years and beyond that we have together. I love you all so dearly and care for you all so deeply.
With Blessings,
Mariah