Saying goodbye is never easy, but saying goodbye to the seniors I was blessed to live with this past year will be one of the hardest goodbyes I have ever done.
Not so long ago I was the little sophomore who was begging five juniors to let me live with them, and for some reason they let me tag along. I became the little sister, but it fit perfectly because I looked up to them like big sisters, and always will.
They taught me so much about life and how to spend my senior year. They have taught me about the real world and what to expect after graduation. They have prepared me for so much, but I learned something different from each one of them.
My tall, blonde, and beautiful friend taught me to love yourself and accept life how it is. She is strong and determined to always be the best dressed around, which she is. She taught me to laugh at myself and it is OK to have a blonde moment every so often.
My craft-beer-loving, strong-willed, and outspoken friend taught me to always say what I am feeling and stand up for myself. Too often we let people walk all over us and never say how we really feel. She helped me find a voice in situation and laughed at me as often as I laughed at myself.
My leader, best-advice-giver, and loving friend taught me to be proud of my accomplishments and do not let the haters bring you down. She taught me to trust myself and believe that everything I was doing was OK and that you do not have to please everyone.
My sweet, soft-spoken, and caring friend taught me to not sweat the small stuff. My twin, who was never against me and always with me, taught me to be down for everything and roll with the punches. She taught me to leave the problems in the past and move on with what was ahead.
Finally, my giving, enthusiastic, and optimistic friend taught me to love unconditionally and always hope for the best. She taught me that I am more than what I think I am and that I am smarter than I think. She taught me how move on and see the light when there is darkness.
I could write pages on how much each one of these women has changed my life, but we do not have time for that. Each one taught me something different and something I will take with me wherever I go. I cannot imagine having to say see you later in just a few weeks, the thought of it makes me tear up. I know it is not goodbye, it is see you soon, talk to you later. My life has been forever changed whether they know it or not and whether they know that they taught me these things.
Next year will be lonely without my "big sisters," but they make up a friendship that will last a life time. The stories and memories will be with me forever and the laughter, tears, and hourlong talks will forever fill the walls of townhouse 4.3.
