Well, the time has come. We're graduating and our lives are all going in separate directions. For the last couple of years, we have been inseparable and now we will all be moving on. To different locations. To new places. To new people. But even though things are changing, my love for you never will.
As I reflect on the last couple of years in this city that I have made my home and this university that has changed me, I thank all my lucky stars that you guys were brought into my life. In some crazy, coincidental way we were all brought together and placed into each other's lives at the exact right moment and time. Each of you have filled a piece of me that has always been missing. I have found myself in each of you. I know the true meaning of friendship, of compassion, of love, and of family because of you.
I want to thank you for giving me everything I never knew I needed. Some of my best memories have been with you. You have seen me at my absolute worst and at my absolute best. I am entirely grateful for you putting up with my stubbornness, my craziness, my hard headedness, and the embarrassment that I can sometimes bring to our friendship. The people you are make me a better version of myself. And I'm sad to say that there won't be anymore Tuesday night mug club or a simple "hey will you come over" at 9:00pm on a Monday anymore.
But as things are ending, I know that they are actually beginning for all of us. Each of you are going off to do amazing things. You will change the world, you will become someone, and I will be able to look back and say "I knew them when they were drinking Apple Skol and eating Ramen Noodles for dinner".
Our friendship is never going to end. You will be at my wedding (if that ever happens), you will see my children grow up, you will be there for all of my moves, all of my job changes, and most importantly you will be able to watch me develop into a real adult instead of just some college student who likes to drink cheap beer on the weekends.
Things may be ending, but they will never truly end. Because true friendship does not just end when college ends. Although we will not be in walking distance anymore and we will have real adult jobs, I have no doubt in my mind that our friendship won't change.
Thank you for helping me through the nights that I never thought I could get through. Thank you for helping me with every heart break, for encouraging me when I thought I was going to fail, for celebrating all of my accomplishments, for supporting my dumb decisions, and for loving me even when it was probably not easy to love me.
I will never forget the memories we have made. College has been the best years of my life so far because each of you have made it that way. Thank you for the laughs, for the moments, for the love you have given me.
As we go our separate ways, just know that my love for you will never change. Distance will not change our friendship. Time will not change our friendship. You guys have become my people and nothing can change that.
"Here's to the nights we don't remember with the friends we won't forget" I love you.