Another semester has come and gone, and each time it feels like a different roller-coaster ride with its high and low moments. The adrenaline that comes with the beautiful chaos often clouds our ability to be grateful for everything that happened during those four months.
This semester, I experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I entered my second to last semester with expectations of how it would all play out, and like every other semester, it didn't go as planned in both positive and negative ways. But despite it all, there is a lot to be thankful for. So with the semester coming to a close, it's time to say thank you:
Thank you, iced coffee, for always being there for me. You always picked me up when I was down and instantly made my day 10 times better.
Thank you Starbucks baristas for remembering my coffee order and always greeting me with a smile, even though I'm less than pleasant until that first precious sip. My day wouldn't be the same without you.
Thank you, Mom, for letting me call you, even at ridiculous hours, to vent when I was upset. You're my rock and words cannot begin to describe how appreciative I am for our relationship.
Thank you, favorite college dive bar, for always giving my friends and me a dance floor, good music and affordable drinks on the weekend. We sang, we dance, we cried and we laughed there all semester. You gave us some of our fondest memories, and your neon lights did wonders for our Instagram posts.
Thank you, retreats, for always de-stressing me. Whether it was a girls night in the apartment or a weekend away at the lake house, you brought me back down to earth. You allowed me to feel the emotions I was feeling without judgment. You reminded me things happen in life that are uncontrollable, that I am never alone and that God is in all things. You reminded me, most importantly, that I am from love, of love and for love.
Thank you, people who are no longer in my life the way they were at the start of the semester. Whether you left by choice or life naturally pulled us apart. Before you left, you showed me that I am lovable. You reminded me I am cared for and deserving of happiness. You provided me with amazing memories that I'll cherish forever, as well as painful and heartbreaking memories that helped me grow. You showed me my strength and gave me the courage to stick up for myself by doing what was best for me. I hope one day we find our way back to each other as friends, but until then know that I'm always still here for you.
Thank you, college friends, for being there for me through it all. Whether you're new in my life or have been there since that first day of freshman year, I am so grateful and blessed for your presence in my life. You celebrated the amazing moments with me and were there to wipe my tears away before they hit the floor. You forgave me when I said "I'm on my way" and showed up 30 minutes later. You were there for me when I needed you the most, even if I wasn't in the best mood. I'm excited to see what is in store for us next semester, and I am lucky to be on this crazy ride they call college with you by my side.
Some memories will give us immense joy while others will bring pain and heartbreak. Remember the happy times and know that more will come, and appreciate any pain you experienced for it will help you grow as a person, even if you don't think so right now.
Winter break, I'm coming for you, and spring semester, I'm ready for you.
