My Dear Friends,

We all knew this day was coming. We used to talk about it in passing during conversations over the years, but we never lingered on it for too long. We joked about it all throughout senior year, as we counted down to our last football game, pep rally, test, prom and every little thing in between. We often didn't take it seriously. You know, our "last sneeze during the seventh minute of the last third quarter of our last Friday night football game" isn't really much of anything. We were never really sad until the big milestones passed us by. It hit us pretty hard at graduation, but we promised that, with what little time we had left, we would make this the best summer ever before we had to part ways.

And suddenly, July vanished and we were left, stranded, to stare reality right in the eyes. One by one, over the next month or so, we would have to say goodbye to each other and watch ourselves arrive at our newfound futures.

We're all off to face the adult world in different ways, whether it be by attending college, serving in the army, or heading off into the work force. I know we all have varying paths ahead of us, and this leaves me somewhat sorrowful. And although we will no longer be living within a ten-mile radius of each other, I find comfort in never being more than a phone call or a group text away.

I know it sounds silly, but... don't forget me.

College is going to be chock-full of new adventures, friends, classes, and opportunities. It's going to be exciting, crazy, and stressful all at the same time. If you're having a bad week, a great week, or you just need to vent about that weird girl that sits in front of you in Econ, don't hesitate to give me a call. 10 or 1,000 miles away, I'll always do my best to be around when you need someone. And know that you'll always have a home to come back to. Whenever you're back for a break or even just a weekend, let me know you're around. I'll always be here to listen to each and every story and memory you can think of; the good, the bad, and the tragic.

More than anything, I'll miss seeing your wonderful faces every week. Just hearing from you once in a while will make me happier than my dog eating Velveeta.

You all have made this place a home for me over the countless years. I believe in fate and I know that each one of you was put into my life at a specific time and for a specific reason. I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world. You all have made an enormous impact on my life and my only regret would be not meeting you sooner. My entire life would be completely different without you in it. Seriously. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be sitting in a corner laughing at my own bad jokes.

There are so many of you that I probably won't even get to see before the summer is out, but know that you have each played an important role in my life and I want to thank you for it. Thank you for absolutely everything: the laughs (especially the ones where I snorted until water came out of my nose), the crying, the pity parties, the birthdays, the late nights, early mornings, lunches, sleepovers and every memory from the first minute we met until the second I hug you goodbye.

Heck, none of you have even left yet and I'm already getting emotional. I'm even taking a couple of you with me to school!

I can't help it. I love and cherish you all so much.

This isn't really goodbye, though. It's more like a "see you soon". And I wish you all the luck in the world.