Coming to college, I was leaving behind almost all of my friends and entering a world all on my own. I wasn't afraid, in fact, I was ready for the all the new experiences that awaited me. It never occurred to me that I was going to need to find someone to enjoy those moments with. My first day at orientation, God put someone in my life who would become my best friend for the next year (and hopefully for many more). That's usually how it works, isn't it? You meet someone seemingly so random and before you know it, they become family. Sure, there are tons of new friends we meet in our freshman year, but we all know that one person. Without Kelsey, I wouldn't have made it through this year. Honestly, realizing that we would be apart for three whole months the other day, I may have actually teared up. I mean what's a girl without her best friend? So, here's to you best friends of the world, thank you for all you do.

Thank You For The Laughs

From the moment we met, we made each other laugh uncontrollably. These kinds of friends just have a light about them that just make you want to be around them. Whether it was my first week at LSU, or the last day of finals, best friends keep you laughing even when life gets tough. Best friends are the ones you can share everything with, and even when you're breaking down completely, they can make you see the bright side. Best friends are the ones you send those horrible Snapchat filters to, the ones who send you videos in the middle of night of a cat or a fat kid dancing, the ones who listen to all your awkward jokes and laugh anyway. I will never be able to thank you enough for the happiness you have made my freshman year.

Thank You For The Memories

You were there on my first trip to LSU, and you're still here on my last day. (Will you ever leave?) As I'm writing this, I'm thinking about all the times we've spent together laughing, hating life and school and people, being awkward (aka basically existing). And it's not even that we were always doing something crazy. No, sometimes, some of my favorite memories are when we were just sitting together telling stories until we turned blue in the face. I think about all the times you were always there to go to dinner or ride with me to every event. And even though you make me listen to country music (which makes me cringe, if you didn't know), I'm so thankful for every car ride.

Thank You For Being Awkward With Me

Side note: this should tell you volumes about me that this is it's own category. On bid day, which if we're being honest was probably one of the most awkward days in all of our lives so far. On our first day of school and we didn't know anyone to eat with or walk to class with. At our first exchange, or basically, any time I tried to go out. You were always there to wander around with me and look at people while deciding if dancing was really the best thing to do at that moment. On game days when we would text and call all of our friends only to wander around for hours together. When I dance in public or make random remarks about people that no one would get, you would always laugh and make me feel like I was just a little bit funny.

Thank You For The Tears and Reminding Me I'm Worth It

There are some days when we honestly don't feel very pretty: inside or out. Sometimes, we get in our own heads; we look in the moment and all the stress of life, relationships, and ourselves weigh down on us. A true best friend will take it upon themselves to share in that load. They stand beside you when it really gets hard. Thank you for letting me just cry sometimes, and being there to listen. Thank you for reminding me to look at the bigger picture and realize this is not the end of the world. And whenever I feel like the worst person in the world, when I feel like nothing, you remind me I am important. I am important to you, and honestly being important to even just one person in this life makes it worthwhile to me.

Thank You, For Friendship

Throughout my life, I would like to say I have had tons of best friends, but honestly, I've never felt like I was someone else's best friend. Just knowing that they needed me, just as much as I needed them. To have a friend who will give as much as I do. A friend who would honestly do anything in the world for me. You have given me a friend who isn't afraid to call me out, a true friend that I could honestly talk about anything with and not be afraid. College, my life, is better because you are in it. I will never be able to thank you enough for all you do for me, but I hope the many years of friendship will do the job. I will miss you so much over summer, but I can't wait to do it all again next year!