Dear my graduating friends,

I can't believe that it's already time for you to leave the undergraduate life. I remember when I came into college and you were all juniors. You helped me find my way through campus, reached out to eat with me, helped me navigate through my confusion, and told me about your freshman year, showing me that I wasn't alone. Then, my sophomore year hit. Although I wasn't a lost freshman, I was still a confused sophomore, but you were still there for me. You were there to cheer me up with food, pray for me as I struggled with things that I couldn't even explicitly explain, listen to me cry about life in sentences that didn’t make sense, and read papers for my classes. As my junior year approaches, you won't be in school with me. However, I know that doesn't mean that you are not there for me.

Now, you are getting ready to put on that cap and gown and close this chapter of your life. However, I can't explain in words how much I appreciate you. Thank you for everything that you have done. Thank you for being my friend, a role model, and sometimes like my parents. Thank you for your support and love. I know that leaving undergrad is probably scary and that it may seem like you are stepping into a lot of unknowns, but I hope that this doesn’t bring you fear. Instead, I hope that it brings you excitement for what’s to come. Every single one of you has so much to offer to the world and I am so excited for you. Wherever you go next is so lucky to have you.

Whether you are staying in Ann Arbor or you are leaving, I pray that you will continue to build up God’s kingdom. I hope that you will continue to love people like you loved me and invest in people even in your workplaces or graduate school. I know that God will use you in crazy ways, so be fearless while knowing that God is your father and He knows you. Lastly, if you are leaving, don't forget that Ann Arbor is always here for you. Don't forget to come back hoMe once in a while.