Cheeseburger Festival has arrived, and those of you in the thumb know what that means...summer has flown by yet again, and fall is fast approaching. For many, that means repeating the seasons over. Parents going to work without having to worry about who's watching the kids, and kids returning to their new teachers in their new classrooms for another year of school, but for me and the rest of the Class of 2016 this fall means a whole new world. Instead of worrying about our first day of school outfits, or the Homecoming theme, we're worrying about the costs of being out on our own. We're saying goodbye to those that we've known since we walked into our Kindergarten classrooms when we were five and most importantly we're leaving our homes full of the ones we care about the most. We're full of nerves, and we're all a little scared, but there's also so much excitement that comes with it. Leaving, however, means a lot of "see you laters"...
To My Friends,
Thank you for everything. Thanks for the late night tye dye sessions for spirit days, thanks for cheering at my softball games, thanks for being my slow dances at school dances AND prom. Thanks for laughing while I rolled down the hill the night of my first party but still picking me up at the bottom. Thanks for the nights spent staring into the stars, racing to find the big dipper at the end of the break wall, and most importantly thanks for listening to my problems even before HUGE APUSH tests and never judging no matter the circumstances. I wish each and every one of you nothing but the best, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that we maintain some form of contact throughout this next step in our lives.
To My Grandparents,
You've each played an immense role in shaping me into the young woman that I am today. Thanks for always providing a second home for me. I'm so thankful to have grown up having such a close relationship with each of you. Grandpa, thanks for always answering my calls, even if you fear that I hit another deer every time my name comes up on the caller ID. Grandma, thanks for being my little best friend. Thanks for always making sure I'm fed, and thanks for our nightly calls. Even when the entire world feels like it's crashing down, I know I always have you two. I love you more.
To My Little Siblings,
Leaving you might be just as hard as leaving mom. With a single mom who works constantly, I've slowly but surely become very motherly towards all three of you. Watching you grow and change each and every day is something I'm going to miss dearly. It's going to be weird not picking you up from school and helping with your homework each night. I love you all more than you'll ever know, and I am always just a FaceTime away. Remember to give Champ and Tuna lots of love from me each day, and STAY OUT OF MY ROOM. I mean it!
To My Dad and Stepdad,
It's been a rocky road with each of you, but ultimately you've both taught me so much. Dad, thanks for being there now, but thanks for leaving me then. You taught me how to let go of things. I learned that what's meant to be in your life truly will find a way to be in it. Mike, thanks for dealing with me even as a spoiled kid when I resented you. Thanks for showing up to every parents' night and supporting me no matter the event as if I was your own. Thanks for working your butt off to make sure my graduation party was a success. Some girls have one really great dad, but I ended up with two.
Most importantly...
To My Mom,
You've been there since day one...literally. You've witnessed every stage of my life and supported every decision I've made. You're my rock, and you're the reason I set my goals so high. Leaving you is easily going to be the hardest. Thank you for all of your hard work. Being a single mom trying to provide for four kids is no easy task, but you do a damn good job of it. Thank you for racing to make it to my softball games after working double shifts. Thanks for supporting me no matter what the situation, and always having my back. Thanks for always knowing when I need a hug. Thanks for spotting my fake friends even before I could, but still wiping away every tear that fell because of them. Thanks for pushing me to be the best person that I'm capable of being each and every day. Thank you for teaching me to respect myself and to stand for those things that I truly believe in. Thank you for teaching me to accept every person no matter their skin color, religion, or sexual preference. The truth is, Mom, this world needs more people like you. I love you to the moon and back. I can't wait for you to come visit.
