SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON KAIROS AND YOU'RE GOING TO GO, DON'T READ.

Dear Fellow Leaders,

Exactly two years have gone by since we all created an experience for our peers, using our own life stories to help others heal. It's hard for me to believe we've all gotten this far apart, geographically and emotionally, and still we're forever connected.

I miss our lunch meetings where Mike would bring his sass to the table along with the rest of us. I miss seeing you all in the hallways during school and saying hi. I miss knowing that there are six other people on this earth who've taken me in as their own. I miss us.

Brianna Gavin

One thing that helps with this is knowing that you all are still there. Though we may not be together physically, we are together in every other way possible. I didn't realize this until you all showed up to UD last year, days before Christmas to bring me gifts and surprise me with your presence. I didn't realize how much you all still supported me until that moment, and I am forever grateful.

I recently read words I had written two years ago and looked back on them in pure awe. I forgot how much of an optimistic attitude I used to have and how much that's actually not there anymore. Within my words I wrote:

"The process of loving yourself begins with forgiveness."
"I began realizing that people loved me for me and not for who I had become or what my family had done and I had realized one of the most important things about life: DNA is not your destiny."
"Hitting rock bottom is okay because it is only then that we realize God is the rock on the bottom and He will be there to help you up."
"I am who I am because of my experiences. All of the things I have gone through have made me into who I am today. I can not let yesterday's mistakes overrule my life."

But what happened throughout reading my words, was that I found places where I see who I am today:

"It's hard to let go of the demons inside when they were holding you when no one else was."
"I wasn't running from my problems, I was desperately searching for a way to conquer them."

The words I shared with a huge group of my classmates, some of whom I still go to school with and even are in the same scholarship program with, were extremely difficult to share. But having you all in the audience made it so much easier. You guys really did change my life.

Brianna Gavin

There is not a day that goes by that I don't listen to my Kai High playlist or see one of our MANY group pictures. I believe this is the way that God is reminding me of you all and all that you are. So much reminds me daily that the greatest blessing I received two years ago was leading Kairos will you all.

I will never forget the chapel session or waking up late on the first day (sorry Carly and Gabby). I will never forget sessions at the microphone during random times between talks. I will never forget having to make Seth's locker signs for him. I will never forget how Jack was always missing every time we got together as a group. I will never forget our lunch table day when new would gather together, after Kairos, to check in and make sure everyone was still okay. I will never forget hugging you all and crying nonstop for those four days. I will never forget the amazing time and community we built.

I will never forget #jankai17.

I love you Monique, Carly, Gabby, Nick, Seth, and Jack, forever and always. Live the fourth!!!!!

Love,

Bry (rhymes with fry)