There is a group of people who played an integral part in shaping me into the person I am today, and that is my church family. They stood by me thick and thin, offered support in any form possible, and are constantly challenging me to become an exceptional form of myself. Hello there CLL!

Sometimes I feel like I don't say this enough but, thank you. Thank you for the meals, the picnics, the trips to Governor's Island, the sleepovers (so many sleepovers), the Christmas caroling, and the ability to be there whenever I need a wake up call.

Without you guys, I would not be the same person I am today. You guys took my relentless, but ultimately unnecessary, anger and spun it into something beautiful and captivating. Thank you for taking the time and patience into making me a better person. I know it's cliche, but honestly, without you guys I'll still be the bitter sour melon I was some years ago and I would have become a truly intolerable monster.

Thank you for spending time with us (us as in my three siblings and I, yeah we're kind of a package deal) outside of a church setting. Thank you for demonstrating that we're not just friends in church, but also outside of it. I know I can act a little awkward around some of you that I do not spend a lot of time with but you guys are the ones who make the extra effort to befriend and get to know me. I appreciate you all the same.

There is a sense of obligation to at least tolerate the people who attend church with you, but that is not the case between us; Thank you for genuinely taking me in and making me a part of your family. Thank you for showing me how much better I can be if I would just take the initiative and change. Thank you for everything you've ever taught me. Thank you.