I could have never asked for better friends than the ones that I have. We created our group in freshman year and stuck together through thick and thin and I need to give them some spotlight because I would not be me without them.
We never had a name for our group, but we always considered ourselves "dorks." The consensus was that we weren't losers or nerds, but somewhere in between: thus bringing about the name of our group, "The Dork Side." We developed code words to confuse anyone outside of the group, for no other reason than to be ridiculous. Besides these silly things that we distract ourselves with, nothing can compare to the love and friendship we share between us.
Even from 1,000 miles away, I can still text them and ask for advice, bug them with memes and nonsensical dry humor, constantly ask them to edit my papers, and always miss them.
If you have any sort of personal issue, high school is tough. No matter how large or small your problem is, you cannot make it out of that institution without a support system, be it teachers, parents, or friends. Most of high school was a struggle for me, but the Dork Side always had my back.
The brightest parts of my day was lunchtime and always claiming the same lunch table for our dozen members: Hannah and Mackenzie's bickering, Jonah, Kaitlynn, and Tyler debating science, Lucas playing DnD, Caitlynn and Krystal hiding from everyone, Jacob begging for food, me providing my dry humor, and Jenny preventing us from killing each other.
But whenever someone needed help, the rest of the group was there for comfort: they are an unending chain of friendship, love, compassion, and care.
As graduation approached and it was time for us to chose our colleges, we all began to worry about the future. What would become of the Dork Side? Would we keep in contact? Would we forget about each other?
With my decision to attend college in Maine, I was terrified of losing my main base of support: thankfully for technology, everything was going to be okay, and we would all keep in regular contact.
We were going to go our separate ways, but nothing would sever the bond between us.
At 5:30 a.m. on the day I was to leave Michigan, I was finishing the last of my packing when I received a knock on my front door. Every single member of the Dork Side were standing outside, ready to hug me and say goodbye.
I was never a crier, but that morning, I cried for the wonderful friends who wanted to be my last goodbye, and through a cloud of hugs and tears, I embarked on a journey that has left me missing them ever since.
I would like to give my thanks to this amazing group of individuals: you have made me strong, but taught me that it is okay to cry. You have guided me through the complexities of life by taking my hand and standing with me in the fire without ever second-guessing. I owe you all so much, and I don't think I could ever repay you- so thank you, with all of my heart. I love all of you, and remember that the future holds so much for all of us.
Dedicated to the Dork Side: Krystal, Kaitlynn, Mackenzie, Hannah, Caitlynn, Tyler, Jonah, Jacob, Jenny and Lucas.