To all of my friends back home,
I miss you.
There are many times that I am reminded of you guys and I wonder, how did we get here? How did we go from spending nearly every possible moment together to this?
We were an odd bunch, to say the least. Some could be classified as jocks, others were partiers, and a few of you were on the quiet side (but most of you were loud as hell). We had aspiring mechanics, pharmacists, teachers, nurses, businessmen, and even a few who went on to serve our country. But despite our different interests, backgrounds, and futures… We made it work. We put our differences aside and became a family. Maybe there were a few times we all did things we shouldn’t have or stayed out later than our parents would have liked but let me tell you, I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything.
I remember our last big Parking Lot Party. I remember holding back my tears as we all said our goodbyes that late August night. I remember feeling everyone’s reluctance to get in their cars and drive home only to wake up the next morning to begin a completely new chapter... A chapter that we were all scared to write.
Life happens… I know that. We all know that. We chose different colleges, a few of you stayed back to work in our hometown, some of you were actually still in high school, and we all made new friends. I know we never meant to lose each other, it kind of happened. I don't think there was anything we could have done to avoid this. Unfortunately it was inevitable and life just pulled us all in different directions.
But we live our different lives, I want you all to know something.
I am so damn proud of all of you. Who knew those careless teenagers we once were would grow to be such hardworking young adults? I see your social media posts about late night studying or early mornings at work... Keep hustling. Chase your dreams. Prove everyone who ever doubted you wrong. I'm rooting for you guys.
And remember, I will always be here for you. If you need me as soon as you read this letter or five years from now, don’t ever hesitate to reach out. The amount of time we have spent apart does not matter. If you need me, I promise I will be here.
With love,
Casey
(aka "NEUUUNERRR!")
