Dear Freshman Year,
It seems like just yesterday I was walking into your arms for the first time. When we first crossed paths, you were so mysterious. I dreamed my whole life about when I'd first meet you. I didn't know where we would meet or what to expect, but what you gave me was something I could have never received anywhere else. I remember my first day with you. I wasn't the first person to feel the way I felt with you. You had kind of a reputation, really. I was intimidated by you, terrified even, because I had no idea what was coming next. Honestly, there were a lot of times that I wanted to give you up before we even started, because mystery was definitely not my type.
I never appreciated you the way I should have. A lot of times I was embarrassed to be associated with you. I refused to wear the lanyard you gave me to hold my ID card, which was really such a kind gift. I always felt like I needed to have my hair and makeup done with you around. I saw other people with sophomore year, who were so carefree in their relationship. Sometimes it seemed like they could just roll out of bed and be okay. But with you, I never felt like I could be that way.
Even though you were intimidating and scary, you granted me so many amazing experiences that I never could have gotten from anywhere else. Because of you, I learned to be independent. You kept me from staying home and made me branch out. Because of you, I met some of the most incredible people I could ever have imagined meeting. You've brought me my bridesmaids, my sisters, my forever friends, and people I can't believe I ever lived without. Although you brought me the occasional heart ache, you also provided me with love like I could never imagine. Because of you, I learned how to care about people more deeply and to put myself into a friendship one hundred percent.
It wasn't until I met you that I really discovered what independence meant. You showed me what it felt like to be truly lonely, but you also gave me the gift of always knowing there was someone to lift my spirits. You taught me how to manage (and appreciate) money, to sustain myself (okay, maybe I still haven't learned that. Shoutout to you, Chick-Fil-A), and brought me to the brim of adulthood.
Most of all, you brought me experiences. Without you, who knows where I would be? You forced me to go out, to meet new people and try new things, and to find a side of myself I didn't know existed. From my first freshman party, to sorority recruitment, to living without my parents, you were by my side helping me along the way through all the laughs and the tears.
I really miss the moments we had. We were so carefree and innocent. Our time was an era of core classes and no commitments, late nights and even later mornings, memories I can't really remember and memories I'll never forget. It was over too soon. Honestly, it feels like it ended before it even started. Now that I'm with sophomore year, I long for your mysterious and wild persona. Looking back, I know I didn't appreciate you the way I should have and I'd give so much to have you back. Sophomore year has been good to me so far, but nothing can replace the moments we shared.
So here's to us, freshman year, a beautifully effortless, and much too short, love.
I'll never forget you,
Cheyenne
