When I moved off to college I was so ready to go. I couldn’t wait to be on my own. I wanted to go on wild adventures with my older sisters. I wanted to make new friends and figure out life all on my own. I was nervous, sure, but I was lucky enough to have a couple of good friends to stand by my side. It was a fresh start, it was scary, but it was also exhilarating. I was ecstatic, I had heard all these exciting and fun stories of the good times my sisters had at Tarleton. I was ready for my own stories and my own adventures at TSU. I was so in love with my university before I had ever even arrived. But let me tell you, nothing could prepare me for the heart bursting amount of love I felt as I began to find my own place in good ole’ Stephenville, America. Little did I know, I would find myself in this town.

This town and this school changed my entire life. In the short time I spent here I experienced many milestones in my life. I developed friendships with people who will be in my wedding one day. I met the wonderful gentlemen of Kappa Delta Rho, who I cherish more than they will ever understand. I had my first beer and too many “last beers” to count. I started my first job, I paid my own bills. I scraped pennies for alcohol and scraped pennies for food. I had my first kiss and my first heartbreak. I experienced joys and failures. I spent long nights laughing and partying but I also spent long nights studying and crying. I met the love of my life, whom I thank God for every day. I founded a new chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi and discovered I had 120 other perfect sisters and the most precious little ever. I learned how to stand up for myself, and to speak my mind. It was here at Tarleton where I experienced my lowest lows and my highest highs. These experiences taught me a lot about myself. The way I see it, Tarleton State University helped me to find myself.

Stephenville, Texas will always be my home away from home. This school has brought me people, memories, and opportunities that have changed my life in ways that I would have never imagined possible. For that, I am forever grateful. Five years, somehow, flashed before my eyes, and somehow I’m here studying my last final and packing up my things. Ever since freshman year, I wondered what it would feel like packing up five years of my life. It’s emotional, it’s kind of hard, but I know every moment I experienced before was preparing me for this moment right now; I’m getting ready to walk the stage and there’s a certain sadness I feel about leaving, but also a certain joy I feel for the memories I have and the memories I will make. I’ll reminisce often and will always smile. Thank you for the best five years of my life at Tarleton. Bleed purple.