When Branford residents first leave for college, they go through quite a strange assortment of emotions—excitement, sadness, anxiousness, etc. It’s a bit tricky to explain: we love you, Branford, but we think we’re going to love college more.

You see, I think that after growing up in your small town for so long, we’ve learned to take you for granted. After years of passing by Stony Creek or Pine Orchard and looking out into the Thimbles, we start to shrug instead of smile. The beauty of Branford is lost.

But Branford, I’m here to tell everyone that this way of living needs to end.

We need to stop sitting in our houses with our parents that do everything for us and frown about it. We need to stop complaining that the water is too cold to go swimming in during the summer. We need to stop texting our friends about how “boring” and “dull” our town is. And we certainly need to stop dreading coming home to you for breaks.

We need to start waking up and realizing that the greatest people on the planet surround us. We need to remember that we can look for comfort, friendship and support in almost everyone we meet in your small town.

I have had the pleasure of meeting the greatest group of friends in Branford, Connecticut. A group of friends that can never be replaced and will never be forgotten.

Branford is where I have the fondest memories with the fondest people. Those dumb school dances we were all forced to attend, those house parties every weekend where you would walk in and find literally everyone you went to high school with, those BHS football games that we all attended even though we knew we were going to lose... Branford and the people in it truly make us happy, whether we want to admit it or not.

So, people of my town, I invite you to join me in bringing back the beauty of Branford. Let’s go home and remember how lucky we are. Let’s never complain about our town or the people that reside in it again.

The next time I’m home, I’m going to hug my friends and family a whole lot tighter, take in the picturesque view each and every day and constantly remind myself just how lucky I am to have grown up in a town surrounded by beautiful people.

And now when the sun shines or a boat passes by, we know a girl we lost who had so much soul, humor, happiness and a contagious smile is looking down on our beautiful town and thanking us for continuing her legacy.

It’s time for us to #LiveLikeTally and remember to smile at the little things in life and that tomorrow is never promised. Life is a mysterious and magical thing. Tally knew that. It’s time we start remembering that. Tally Sepot, your charisma, good vibes and joy will never be forgotten. That’s a promise.

Thank you for constantly reminding us of how beautiful life is. Thank you for being you.

To a very beautiful angel, all of Branford will miss you infinitely. Rest in everlasting peace, Tally. Branford’s very own ray of sunshine.