I have waited for this moment since being in 10th grade.

As a sophomore with high hopes and big dreams, I was ready to leave for college, but the idea of it all just seemed like a daydream ... it seemed like I would never get there.

But now I'm there.

I've seen many people I love get ready to leave and start a new chapter in their big book called life. Each time someone left, my heart always ached a little. Of course, I knew I would see them soon and holiday breaks come faster than you think, but I felt like I was being left behind. As if I just missed the flight I needed to catch.

But there's this excitement when writing on a new piece of paper ... to see where your heart decides to take you and you end up writing it down. And that excitement is exactly how it feels to start college. I have no idea what these next four years will bring me, but all I keep hearing is, "These are going to be the best four years of your life ... enjoy it."

In high school, I got to experience how to be free, to do anything that makes me happy. To fall in love and out of love. To make new friendships even if you lost some along the way in the four years you're there. It's just high school. That's all that it ever was to me. I wanted the first ticket out as soon as possible ... but who wouldn't want that?

Now it's my time to say not goodbye but see you later ... to the people I love, my friends going to other schools throughout the state and out of state, and most importantly my family ... and that's not going to be easy, but I'm ready. Now it's time for me to pack up and to start off somewhere only I know of and to create something new for myself.

To become someone who makes others proud, to be successful, to be more than just another pretty face and most importantly to do anything and everything that makes me a better version of myself.

I'll always remember these past four years were important; they got me to where I am today. They taught me that it's OK to give up on people if they give up on you, that you'll always have your friends if a boy leaves you and if a friend leaves you, that's OK too. Maybe you don't have the same interests anymore or they weren't always honest ... that your parents are actually really awesome, especially when they make you dinner when you can't find words other than cry on a bad day. I will miss many things that are perks of being in high school and living at home. You don't have any responsibilities really ... until now.

"Welcome to college ... you're a cool college girl now."

Just remember, it's not a goodbye ... its a see you later.