Freshman year is coming to an end. I can't help but look back and think about how fast it has come and gone. So many awesome and interesting things have happened to me this year. It has definitely been a different and eventful part of my life. God has continually closed doors and opened others. One of the best doors that has been opened in my life is the door of new friendships.

Back home, I had an awesome circle of friends. a lot of us were 13-year seniors. We went to the same small school in the same small town from kindergarten to senior graduation. Being one of the only ones of my friends going away for college was difficult. Naturally, I'm a pretty awkward person. In high school, I was the outgoing girl who didn't have trouble talking to anyone or meeting new people. College was a different story

College is supposed to be an exciting time in life to meet new people and make new friends. Or so I thought. Auburn University is a huge campus with so many awesome and different kinds of people. So, one would think that because of that, it would be easy to make new friends. Wrong. It's so hard to make friends in college, especially if you didn't rush to be in a sorority and none of your friends are going to the same college as you.

Many good and bad things happened to me fall semester. I'm not going to lie, it was one of the hardest times of my life. However, some of the best things happened to me because of one of the hardest situations I've been in. I finally found friendship in some pretty solid girls. These friendships happened at different times and are all unique girls who have made a different impact on my life.

So, to the girls that made my fall semester:

I know that our friendship started out of nowhere and that maybe I was just that person that was there sometimes (all the time) but I'm just glad I had people to be there with me. Thank you for unintentionally keeping me company during that low part of my life. You girls did so much for me by just letting me hang around. I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity to get to know y'all in those circumstances. Y'all saw me at some of my lowest lows and barely knew me but were still there for me. That really speaks volumes to me. Y'all were always so sweet and welcoming even though I might've been a little stand-offish. I know y'all don't really realize it, but I truly needed y'all. I needed y'all to be who y'all were to me so that I could pick myself up and figure myself out. Thank y'all for the laughs and for all the fun times. I know we can keep making memories together.

To the girls who made my spring semester:

I'm so glad we met. From going to church together to studying all night for physics, you all have always been there. I admire how smart y'all are. I love that we are always together. You girls make life easier. Thank you for helping me in all things math/science related ( I know that sometimes it can be a pain). Above all though, I am especially grateful that not only are y'all my study buddies, but a majority of you are also my church friends You girls have made a huge impact on me spiritually and I'm so grateful that God placed y'all in my life when he did. So thank you, for helping me not only in my academic studies but in my spiritual "studies" as well.

To the girls back home who made my year:

As always, thank y'all for always having my back. I love y'all. Thanks for being my forever best friends and sticking with me no matter what. Thanks for always hanging out with me when I'm home (even if it's just doing homework on the couch together). Thank y'all for not cutting all ties with me just because I moved away. I love catching up with y'all every time I come home. I miss seeing y'all every day. I'm so glad we still keep in touch. People say that your high school friends won't matter much after high school but I don't believe it. I know our friendship is made to last.

All of you ladies have helped better me in different aspects of my life. I never knew I needed friends like you until I found you. Thank you for sticking through my lowest lows and making my highest highs. I love all of you dearly and am forever grateful that God placed y'all in my life. Thank you for helping make Auburn my second home. Thank you for making my freshman year.

Sincerely,

Your awkward, grateful friend.