When I left high school, I never thought that I would make new friends who came close to how amazing my high school friends were. I still love my hometown friends more than they know, but I never expected to meet someone in college that could match up to them. The friends I've made in college truly will last a lifetime, and I know that both my hometown friends and college friends will be by my side for the rest of my life.
To the friend I met in college,
Thank you for being everything that I never knew I needed. Leaving my hometown friends behind was a scary idea, but you managed to make it OK. I never expected to meet someone and become so close so fast, but you've become a family member to me.
You've made sure that my college years have been full of laughter, spontaneity and plenty of food. You've forced me to get out of bed and stop being lame when I want to stay in... Again. You've yelled at all the horrific boys for me and taken me out for ice cream after every bad breakup, interview or family fight. You've become my support system away from home.
Even when we go home for the summers, we're only a text, phone call or Facetime away, but we always know we're counting down the days until we're back together for real. You're my partner in crime, my shoulder to lean on and quite possibly the only person who will act a fool with me at fraternity parties.
My hometown friends and I have all chosen different paths and still talk regularly. There's no replacing each other, but it's no secret that we've all formed completely new groups of friends as well.
You and our group of friends have given me more than I can ever explain to you. You've ensured that college really has been the best years of my life, just like everyone tells you it will be. You've given me memories that will last a lifetime. They're stories that I'll remember and retell for the rest of my years. There will only be more stories to come as these next few years go by for us.
Thank you for reminding me not to take everything in life so seriously. Thank you for making me go on that spring break trip even though I kept saying I was too broke. Thank you for making me step outside of my comfort zone time and time again. Thank you for a million and one reasons.
The years in college are flying by, but I know that our friendship is one that will only continue to grow after these four years are up. You'll stand in my wedding someday, hold my future children and reluctantly agree to a girl's night out at the bars, even when we're parents who are "too old" for that.
Thank you for finding a way to put up with me, even though I'm arguably the strangest person on the planet. You're borderline as strange as I am though, so it's no wonder we ended up being friends.
I can't wait for the road that lies ahead of you and me. Cheers to what awaits us in the future, and cheers to the best damn years.
