Dear friends,
Freshman year was a hilarious learning experience for us that I would not have wanted to share with anyone else. It was the beginning of independence and freedom from our parents. Our tiny living boxes that we called our rooms became a constant sleepover hangout that made us closer (literally). The hours spent at the library together doing way more talking than we did studying had us cramming for finals week. We didn't know what to spend our campus money on, so we spent most of it on pizza and Starbucks back then.
We've shared our first college football game as students together, first walk of shames, first move in and first chance to steal each others wardrobes. Coming from different walks of life, it was amazing to learn how to enjoy those times at several angles. All of those firsts will always hold a special place in my freshman year memories that I will share with my kids one day.
I'm not sure who else I would have told my collection of awkward moments to. Like the time I walked in on a senior lecture hall instead of my biology class. When I went on a coffee date with a guy and got my chewing gum all over me. Somehow, you guys stuck around. We lived for catching up on the weekends (if we weren't already with each other for the 72 hours straight prior to the weekend). The best part was some of you encouraged me to follow the rules and keep me out of trouble, and some...well...made me realize that breaking a few rules here and there wasn't so bad after all.
On a serious note, we were all trying to find out who we were and what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives. As different as each of us were and still are, you helped me find my place and even more of my purpose. Being surrounded with a bunch of diverse groups allowed us to learn about what we wanted and didn't want to be a part of. It took us several trial and error situations, and doing it together made it memorable.
I can honestly look back at my freshman year and say I had the time of my life because of you making it worthwhile. I had no idea who I was going to meet coming into a totally new school, but I am sure glad God had me run into each of you. Whether it was meeting me at orientation and saving me from sitting awkwardly by myself, or those I call my best friends- thank you for impacting more of my life than you probably realize. Some of us have drifted apart, but I know that we will always be able to pick up where we left off and laugh until we cry about how much we have grown.
Thank you all for making me realize that there is so much in this world to enjoy outside of my comfort zone.
Sincerely,
Your friend since freshman year
