We all have those friends who we never want to lose. For me, it is all of the friends who I met on my Disney College Program. I met so many amazing friends and friends who I know will be in my life for a very long time. There were people I met on my program who I instantly clicked with, there were people who it took a little warming up to before we actually got to talking, and there were people who I worked with who were mostly just forced to be with me. But they all became my friends and they're now stuck with me forever.
My Disney friends are my forever friends. I went to an unknown place with unknown people for four months. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I was nervous, I was scared, but most importantly, I was excited. I was excited for the journey that was ahead. The journey that would form so many memories and so many friendships. I made friends from all over the world, all the way from Georgia to Tennessee to New York to New Zealand to Kentucky to Wyoming. Needless to say, I have friend all around the globe and I have so many places and faces to now visit.
The journey wasn't easy but it was totally worth it. I went down to Florida knowing the people from Nichols College. I am grateful to have had them when I needed that taste of home, but I was also grateful that each of us spread our wings and made friends from all over. We all found where we belonged much like we did at Nichols. Not that we didn't belong together in Disney, because there were days we did belong together, but we also found another place we belong, among the friends we made in Disney.
It took me a while to adjust to the "Disney life". All I had ever known was a small town. From East Brookfield to Dudley which were two small farm towns and now I was in a big community of individuals from all over. Quite the change! But I embraced the change and it was the greatest decision of all times.
My roommates quickly became some of my closest friends. We would bake cookies together, we would have the best heart to hearts for hours on end, we would laugh like we'd known each other forever, and most importantly we looked out for each other and cared about one another. The running joke in our apartment was that we could sum up our DCP with two words: friends and COOKIES! We came in on move in day not knowing who to expect and keeping to ourselves but that soon changed and I am forever grateful for that. I have so many memories with these girls that I hold near and dear to my heart. From water parks to s'mores to Wishes to grocery trips to cookies. I will hold every single one of you and the memories we have made in my heart forever.
Then there was my DAARlings. Those rainbows who were there for every terrible day at work, every time you needed someone to adventure with, every late night IHOP trip and everything in between. I have never worked with people my age so although it was quite the adjustment, it was a fantastic adjustment. Our group me chat always kept me informed and to this day hasn't stopped. I love that we all got so close in such a short amount of time. There was never a day that I wouldn't walk into work and be excited to see everyone. Even though most days work was not as magical as we all would have hoped, we got through it together and that is something we are lucky to say. For the few meltdowns I had at work I am thankful to have had people who understand (special shoutout to Hannah and Shelton for being my number one go-to girls aka moms when I had a meltdown). I was lucky to have people who made me think of the special people I left at home. Leaving was never easy but you all made it tolerable. Thanks for all of the memories in DAAR, adventuring in the parks on our days off or even before or after work, for all of the rides back to the apartments, the infamous 1am IHOP trips, there will always be a special place for each and every one of you.
Even if I didn't get a lot richer money wise by working for Disney, I did get a lot richer in my heart. The countless friendships I have gained, the memories, and most importantly the magic we made together is something I will cherish forever. All of you should be expecting a visit in the future because I will be around. Because I have so many forever friends now it might take me a while, but I will get to each and every one of you! And I'll end with a quote from my favorite movie of all time: "And as the years go by, Our friendship will never die, You're gonna see it's our destiny, You've got a friend in me"
