Ever since my first day of school as a child, I have sported the plaid. While moving up in the world from a plaid jumper to a plaid skirt in the fifth grade seemed like the most rewarding day of my life, looking back on things now, I am able to recognize many ways that my uniform has had significant impact upon my life.

Thank you for sticking with me through it all, and I mean it ALL.

From laughing at the top of my lungs with my other 172 sisters all dressed the same as I, to cringing in my seat at the sight of the “college preparatory” test in front of me, my uniform has been with me through some of my highest points and lowest points in life. We have smiled together, cried together, prayed together, and pretty much everything in between. We are one body in Christ, and we do not stand alone.

Thank you for being such a constant in my life.

Whenever I needed a tissue, a blanket, a pillow, a napkin, or a towel to wipe back my tears, you were always there for me. My uniform skirt was somehow always able to accommodate me with these basic needs, even if it wasn’t the most sanitary.

Thank you for complementing my greasy hair and hairy legs.

Hey, you may think it's gross... but really, it was all just kind of a packaged deal.

Thank you for giving me an extra 20 minutes of sleep each morning.

If it weren’t for you, making a stop at the local Starbucks each morning would not have fit into my daily routine.

Thank you for serving as such a strong shield in my life.

Wearing my plaid skirt, I was significantly shielded from the Abercrombie, Hollister, and Aeropostale t-shirt craze. I don’t think I will ever be able to repay you for that. Wearing my plaid skirt also provided me with a shield of confidence. It was together that we mastered the skills of a confident and capable leader, communicator, critical thinker, and believer. So thank you for allowing me to grow confident in my own skin. It is with you that I grew into the successful woman that I am today.

Thank you for playing such an integral role in my high school experience.

I couldn’t imagine 172 more beautiful sisters to match with every single day. I will never forget the strong and meaningful community we were a part of, and the sisterhood I will cherish for the rest of my lifetime.

Finally, thank you for giving me an excuse to wear you every October.

Even if I never looked anything close to Britney Spears back in high school, every year, we have a legitimate excuse to reunite, even if it is only just for the night. So until next Halloween… RIP.

Overall, I cannot express how proud I am to be RIP: Raised In Plaid.

Together, we have overcome so many things, and I would not be the person I am today without our past experiences together.

Yours truly,

A Catholic school girl.

P.S.: I sincerely apologize for all of taco dip/miscellaneous food stains and for the significant amount of glitter that will remain permanently embedded into your material. I also forgive you for all of the times that you forgot to come to school with me, adding to my growing collection of out of uniform demerits.