I would like to start this post by saying that I am so incredibly proud of all of you for making it through your four years here at mother fair and getting your degree. All of the sleepless nights, tears and studying have paid off. I am so happy to see all of your hard work pay off. I know that all of you will do tremendously well in the real world. I am so proud for all you have overcome and accomplished. You have finally conquered college, and along the way, you became the truly amazing people you are today.

Second, oh gosh, I am so sad to see you guys go. As much as I am excited for you all to go out and experience the big great world, it hurts my heart that next year I will not see your smiling faces on campus. I will miss walking into the Tub and seeing all of you congregated in our booth at lunch, and always knowing that when we saw one another that a hug was almost always coming my way. I will miss the screaming chaos that is lunch in the Tub, the nights at your townhouses that we stayed up all night laughing, the late nights in the library when we all thought our brains were melting, Sheetz runs, and nights at Theta Chi when we danced and screamed the lyrics to our favorite songs, feeling like we had the whole world within our reach.

Third, I would like to thank you. Thank you for noticing the girl who talked a bit too loudly and never really knew what she’s saying. Instead of being the kind of upperclassmen that turned their backs on underclassmen and laughed, you opened your arms to me when I really needed good friends. You have pushed me to do better, and motivated me to be a better leader and student. When I need a kick in the ass, you guys are right there to do so. You stood by my side during one of my darkest semesters while away at college, and for that, I am forever thankful.

You taught me what friendship truly is. It isn’t all sunshine and happiness. It’s grieving with your best friends because the weight of life is all too much, and it is celebrating with them on the days that seem perfect. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Somedays my mental illness gets the best of me, and during those times, you all have been right there by my side to love me. The love that you have all given me have helped me in more ways than you know. I have always been used to people leaving my side once things get tough. Having people who sat with me during the dark times and didn’t run towards the hills was an idea that was all too new for me. But when things started to go downhill, you all stuck by my side and refused to leave until I could stand on my own two feet again. You all gave me the strength that I needed.

You have all seen me at my worst. You have picked me up off of the ground when I repeatedly kept on falling down. You dusted my shoulders off, and told me that everything is going to be okay. Even on my darkest days, you gave me the love and encouragement that I needed to keep on going. You reassured me of who I am when I thought that the true me was lost inside of all of the mess. You helped me become a better person, and I will always be thankful. Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable. You sat and embraced me when I had panic attacks and all I could do was cry for hours. You stayed up all night to make sure I didn’t feel alone and to make sure I was okay. Thank you for allowing me to be myself, and still loving me when I’m rather unlovable.

I’ve been all out of sorts with coming to terms that you will all be leaving me shortly. I know that it will all be very different, not seeing your faces every day. Every time I begin to think about you all leaving, I can't help but start bawling. I know that it is very selfish, but a part of me is scared to let you all go. I worry that you will all be too busy out there in the real world and forget about me. Even though it isn’t true, it is a very real fear. As the day gets closer, I am filled with a lot of bittersweet feelings. The other day I watched you pick up your cap and gowns. A part of me wishes that I had a bit longer time with all of you. But sadly the semester is coming to an end, and your time here at Westminster is almost finished. I am trying to soak up all of the time that I have left with you all. The late nights at the library, lunch in the Tub, Greek Week, and everything in between. I am not letting any of this time go to waste.

I just want to end this saying a couple of things. First, please remember who you are as you enter the real world. Don’t let this crazy place steal your voice, or make you change who you are (you’re good enough, I promise). Second, please don’t forget me and come and visit when you can. There will be plenty of floor space in my dorm next year. Third, don’t forget how much I love you, and I will miss you more than you will ever know. Finally, I am so very proud of you all and can't wait to see where this world takes you!

Love,

Hannah Y

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who'll decide where to go ...” — Dr. Seuss