Dear “New” Friends,

I have to say it feels as though we have known each other for a lifetime. After all, when do you get to spend nine months surrounded by others during all hours of the day?

You guys have seen me smile, laugh, scream, and cry (only once, I may add). You guys have seen it all and I have too. Nine months allows you to really get to know people, especially during your freshman year of college when every exam feels as if the world is ending and every amazing experience seems to fly by.

What I am trying to say is thanks. Thank you for the memories, for the laughs, for the smiles, and for every late night ice cream run. I appreciate every moment we have spent together, and I won't take these memories for granted. The truth of the matter is that our time together is, unfortunately, coming to an end. In less than three weeks, I will look around my half empty room and wonder where the time has gone. You guys will hover around my room, and I will grow more antsy as the room becomes more bare. Soon, all of my things will be packed up, and I know I will have to say goodbye. I promise I will try not to cry, but I cannot make any guarantees.

I truly cannot believe that I will have to spend three months away from the friends who have been my second family for the past nine months. I cannot believe that for three months we will not be just steps away from each other. I cannot believe my wish was granted when I hoped and prayed I would find a group of friends who loved and accepted me for who I am.

Thank you for being the friends I could spend my Friday nights with cuddling on the futon while watching "Legally Blonde." Thank you for being the friends I could vent to when I did poorly on an exam or when I was frustrated with the workload of a course. Thank you for being the friends who danced with me in the hallway right before quiet hours just because we needed to.

I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am to have met such a wonderful group of individuals. Each one of you is special in your own way, shining a ray of light into my life each time I see you. We have talked about the future, the past, our hopes and our dreams. When I am with you, I feel safe and content because you guys have come to represent a piece of my home. I will be forever thankful for the time we have shared together these past nine months. As these last couple of weeks draw to a close. I wish I could say how much I love and appreciate each and every one of you a million times over. When the time comes to pack up my things, I will gaze at each and every one of you and think about how important you all have come to be. My eyes may fill up with tears, but I can tell you right now they are tears of joy. I am eager to hear about the amazing adventures and experiences you guys will have during the summer and, when fall semester rolls around, I hope that we all will come together for a family dinner just like old times. I know you are friends that are in it for the long haul, so I hope you guys still enjoy my company.

With love,