With graduation right around the corner, counting down the days out of both excitement and ready to be done with this college life have taken over my mind. However, I often fail to express to those I’m leaving behind exactly how much they’ve impacted my life.

I say leaving behind because our lives are going to be different, I won’t be just a short drive away anymore; if everything goes as planned, it’ll take a plane ride just to visit each other. For some, I know we will lose touch but for others, I know this friendship will last a lifetime. The future can be both intimidating and exhilarating so before my future starts without some of the greatest people I have met, I want to say thank you for…

Pushing me to always be my best

Putting up with my 0-100 music night choices

Telling me how it is even when I don’t want to hear it

Validating me (because we all know how needy I can be)

Being my transportation because something is always wrong with my car

Always willing to drive to Cookout late at night (or McDonalds now because yogurt beats ice cream on the nutrition scale)

Forcing me to go out and be social

Being just a mess sometimes as I am

Wall twerking… (cough cough G)

Late night adventures (bear the palm)

Being my students to practice my lessons on

Being my audience when I want to show you “cool” dance moves

Putting up with every movie I know all of the words too

Sticking by my side even when I’m being sassy

Supporting my life decisions

Being the friends that bring heartache when I think about leaving

You may look at these and think their pretty basic but to me, they have made all the difference. College wouldn’t have been the same these past few years if it weren’t for each and every one of you. Even if were not as close anymore or our relationship may have mended, I still thank you because I know at least one time or another, you have helped me grow.

Relationships of any kind can be stressful at times to handle but through it all, the strongest ones come out on top and mean the most. Growing up, my family was always against each other, it was like a Civil War that to this day never ends so I can’t express how grateful I am to have met friends that mean just as much to me as family should. Many altering moments of my life have occurred during my college years and for that I am even more appreciative for your friendship and support.

For me, this is the first time I am leaving a place with so many great friendships behind and it hasn’t hit me until most recently. Before I go off and graduate and leave this chapter behind I’d like to make a promise to ya’ll.

I promise... to only be a phone call away no matter what time of the day/night it is.. be an ear for you when life just seems unbearable.. but most importantly, I promise to uphold our friendship even from afar because I know friends like you are irreplaceable.

Most importantly, to those of you that have helped and guided me so much especially these past few months, you friendship means the most to me. I couldn’t have done any of it without your constant support and love for who I am. I believe all of you are going to do great things wherever your path leads and I can’t wait to reconnect because let’s face it, I can’t do this life without you <3