I want to thank my friends at Houghton College for everything they have done for me. They got me through what I thought was impossible, my first year of college. I have thanked some people individually but this letter is to everyone who has had some impact, no matter how small, in my college life this year. Please read this as a personal letter.

Dear friend,

I am so thankful for you. I would never have made it through my first year of college without you. Not only the things you have done for me but the things you do in general too. The smile, laugh, positivity, brain, wit, and love you carry around with you give me hope. When I see you, I see all your admirable traits and I thank God for all of them and how they make you, you. Know you have a place in my heart. I am quite sentimental and don’t forget things often, which means you have left quite an impact on me.

Thank you for the memories you have made with me. I honestly do cherish them. Thank you for motivating me when I most needed it. Thank you for helping me study. Thank you for taking me away from my studies, and my perfectionistic tendencies. Thank you for making me laugh and making me feel more comfortable than I have in my entire life.

I love the adventures we have been on together and cannot wait to go on more. The memories you have made with me run through my mind often. My heart warms when I think about them and I believe sometimes an unplanned smile breaks out on my face.

You have taught me to be independent, free, and relaxed. I see these traits in you and they rub off on me. Mainly because I admire you and in a lot of ways want to be you. At the same time, you have taught me to love myself. Self-loathing is a common action and because I believe you should not do it because of how wonderful you are, I realize that maybe I should apply the same advice to myself.

I already miss you, and hope you have a great summer! I can’t wait to see you again in the fall. Then we can hang out outside and admire the beautiful weather. We can go on walks and picnics. We can read under trees and sleep under the stars. We will share stories of our summers and thoughts about the future.

At Houghton, with you I have found a home. I have found a family. I have found an inner peace.

I can’t wait to see you again,

Kenzie