It seems like just yesterday I was that nervous high-school senior touring the top colleges on my list, eagerly awaiting my college acceptance letters so that I could make the life-changing decision of which college was right for me.
I remember all my close family and friends telling me after high-school graduation to enjoy the next four years, because not only will they be some of the best times of your life, but it will be over before you know it.
I did not realize how right they all were until now, as I only have a few more weeks until I walk across a stage again, but this time as a college graduate.
It seems like just yesterday I was moving into my freshman dorm with my now roommate of four years.
Everyone would ask us how we met and we would explain how we basically "online dated" after finding each other on our class page, and eventually realized we needed to be roommates.
A few nights later, the two of us were going to our first frat party, having no idea what to expect. Before we knew it we were taking on our first 8 a.m. class (and realizing we were never going to take another 8 a.m. again).
We were the eager freshman wanting to make as many memories, take a ton of pictures, and get to know as many people because this was our time.
It seems like just yesterday my roommate and I were going to open sisterhood events for the sororities on campus, anxiously trying to figure out which one we felt most at home in.
And a few months later, I found my home in an organization that would change my college experience for the better. Not only did I run home with someone who I would now consider one of my best friends in my organization, but this organization brought me so many things that I will never be able to repay them for.
It gave me a home away from home when my family moved eight hours away. It gave me the big sister I never had, and a role model that I will forever look up to.
After two years (the wait was well worth it) it gave me the most perfect Little and someone I would get to watch grow within our chapter and hold leadership roles.
It gave me friends who would see potential in me, when I did not see potential in myself. It gave me a sisterhood of women who I know will always be there for me, not just for these four years, but for life.
It seems like just yesterday I was forming friendships with random people on my freshman hall, who would eventually become some of my roommates and closest friends. Girls who would stick by my side through thick and thin.
Friends who would encourage me to follow my dreams and also make sure that we did crazy college things while we still can. The friends who I do not need to fear leaving in a few short weeks because I know they will be there for me even when we are not a few feet or a few miles away from one another.
It seems like just yesterday I was stepping onto this campus for the first time. A campus that has become my home, and a campus that has brought me so much joy.
I will never be able to give back to this school enough because of all it has given me. It has given me best friends for life, a sisterhood, my future bridesmaids, thousands of good memories, and four years I will never forget.
As I walk across that stage in a few weeks I will be ready for what lies ahead because my collegiate career has provided me with the tools and support I need to follow my next dream.
