Dear people leaving me,

It hasn’t even been a full year since I met you, but I already value your friendship so much. From the moment I met you I hoped that we would be great friends. For some of you, it was band camp and others we met through mutual friends. All of you are important to me, and I hope that we will always be friends even after you leave Alma.

Band camp was a nerve-wracking experience for me. A new home, a new bed, new people, new food, and lots of work. I honestly wouldn’t have survived without your help. You have been incredible friends helping me adjust to college life and become a better person.

On my birthday my first weekend here, you helped make me feel at home and surrounded by friends. I will never forget all the good times we shared. Sectionals where you explain college life to me and the other clueless freshman. Lunches full of interesting conversations that any outsider would be really confused about. Trying to convince me to actually talk the really cute guy I was staring at. You helped me try new things and grow as a person.

All of you help me in different ways. You always support me through everything and are there to give me advice. Whether it is boys, fashion, school or life, you always have some sort of tip to help me. I always wanted an older sister to look up to. I’m so lucky to have gained friends, who are more like sisters, that I can look up to. Thank you for all of your support. I have become a better, more confident person because of your influence.

Graduation means you are leaving Alma and heading off into the real world. Going to Grad school, living on your own, or doing other adult things. Each of you has your own plans, talents, and aspirations. You will all go far in your lives because you are incredible people. Seeing the hard work and dedication you all possess was inspirational to me and others. It’s good for me to be around older more experienced people because you help me have more goals and actually think about my future.

I know you are going off to do bigger and better things. I wish you the best of luck and know you will be incredibly successful. But please don’t forget me. Thank you for putting up with me and always having my back. You will always be the people that helped me adjust to college life and important mentors in my life. More importantly, you will always be my friends and sisters.

Love,

Your nerdy freshman friend