You graduated high school this week and I could not be more excited for you. You, and I know how cheesy this sounds, are about to begin the rest of your life. I really can't explain the change that occurs when you go to college. The world gets bigger and more colorful. You are forced to grow up and it is life changing. Just wait, you'll see.

You are so much bigger than you think. High school is so tainted with drama and lies and you somehow always drew the short stick. I know you think that those chains will bind you and hold you back from truly experiencing the world, but they won't. You are not going to be the person who lets them hold you back. College, in the simplest of terms, is not high school, and you are not who you were in high school. Let go of the guy who tore you to bits and rebuild yourself. Forget about all the rumors that spread like wildfire. Don't put yourself in a negative environment. You do not have to hang out with people you don't like anymore. Be you, because you are nothing short of perfection.

College, while very exciting, is terrifying. Leaving will not be easy. There will be days when you wake up and miss everything you used to know. You'll be scared and nervous about being alone. You'll wake up sometimes and cry because you are sick and your mom isn't there to tell you what to do. Boys still suck, but that never changes. You'll either get too much sleep or never enough. The library will be your home for some time. People will come and go, so hang on to the ones who let you. These people will be your family. Everything will change and it will be amazing.

Throughout all of this, I want you to remember one thing. You are the sun. You are my sun. You are radiant and graceful and will only bring more joy into this world. I really cannot imagine a person who would meet you and not be altered by the power and wisdom that you bring. You have so much to offer and I can't wait for you to spread your love. You've changed my life in the best way possible. I have no worries and there is no doubt in my mind that we won't be exactly the same when you come home for breaks. Nothing has changed before and it certainly won't now. We are still, and always will be, those angsty teenage girls who met during a musical who were way too obsessed with "Glee." You're my person, the Blair to my Serena, the Carrie to my Charlotte, and the best thing that ever happened to me.

Thank you for being my best friend. The world is not ready for you and everything you will bring to it.