Even though I love to joke about how much I hated high school, I can’t help but admit that there are parts that I miss. At one time, I had no desire to keep in contact with anyone from high school. I was beyond excited for college. New friends, new classes, and an overall new environment were all things that I not only wanted, but needed in college. Yet, with change comes uncertainty and doubt. After going to school with the same people since elementary school, it is hard to not yearn for the familiar faces and voices that once filled my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my college friends, but there is nothing like the comfort of your best friends from home. So here’s to you guys–the ones who have known me through all of the awkward stages, unnecessary drama, and the downright embarrassing moments.

Thank you for the countless Starbucks dates where we would sit there for hours pretending to actually be doing homework

Thank you for going to football games and basketball games with me. We all know that the only reason that we actually went was for the student section, not for the actual game.

Thank you for being my homecoming and prom dates. Even more, thank you for persuading me to actually stay at homecoming rather than leaving early to drive 45 minutes just to get cupcakes.

Thank you for driving around aimlessly with me with no destination in mind and just talking about life.

Thank you for telling me when that boy was bad for me. Thank you for telling me that he was just using me and that I was too blind to see it. Thank you for telling me that I deserved better when I couldn’t see it for myself.

Thank you for dealing with the late night texts and stress texts because I had severe senioritis when it came to my homework.

Thank you for hating the same people who I hated (or at least pretending to).

Thank you for being my best friend at sports practices and in school.

Thank you for all of the inside jokes.

Thank you for helping me write my graduation speech because we all know how bad it would have been if I didn’t seek input from other people.

Thank you for keeping my secrets.

Thank you for making fun of how much we hated high school.

Lastly, thank you for still staying by my side. College has had many ups and downs and I don’t think that I would be able to do it with you guys. Thank you for all the Facetime dates and staying on the phone with me as I bawled my eyes out about how bad my day was. Thank you for being the first people who I want to see over break and the last people I want to say goodbye to. Most importantly, thank you for supporting my dreams and telling me that everything will work out in the end. From elementary/middle school and now to college, I am so thankful for all of the experiences that we have had together and I can’t wait for the ones in the future.