Dear Auburn,
Whenever people ask me what I love the most about you, I always say "How the brick all matches." Seriously, I have never been able to get over how uniform the buildings all look. You are beautiful. I have been blessed enough to experience the sun rising behind the Haley center. I have been blessed enough to watch the sun set behind the Jordan-Hare.
Truthfully, I've been a lot of places... But I've never been anywhere where the sunsets were more beautiful than in Auburn. There's nothing like an orange and blue sunset on a football Saturday. It feels like the whole Universe is rooting for us (even if the town is flooded with 'Bama fans.) There's nothing like how still and calm the night stars can be when you drive out to a dark spot and just feel God and nature all around you. Simply put: You are beautiful. No matter what anybody ever says, please just assume that they are jealous.
Your borders contain some of the best people in the world. These people are sweet, generous, kind and honest. They are that way because they've learned from one another — and they're learned from you. They're learned what it means to be Auburn men and women, which is a duty that they take very seriously. Nobody is a stranger here because we are all connected through you.
Another thing is that you have this effect on people. I'm not sure whether you know it or not; but, nobody ever wants to leave you. You have a way of making people fall in love with you effortlessly. Maybe it's the community, or the buildings... or the lemonade? I'm not sure what it is. You touch people and never let them go.
Auburn, I don't think anyone's ever been the lesser for knowing you or being here. It's true, things aren't always easy; but, bad things happen wherever one goes, so don't blame yourself. It's different here though, because you make people stronger. You have a spirit that doesn't give up (not just because of football, either.) You inspire others not to give up either. Simply put, you're not a quitter. And you've made me a fighter through that example.
When I came here, I had no idea what my life would hold. I didn't know what I would do with my life. I didn't know what strength (and weakness) was inside of mee. I was so scared my first night that all I did was cry and I never thought I would be content here. But these days, I just take a loop around town down University Drive. That's all I need to pick myself back up again and feel perfectly at home.
It's true, one day I will "grow up" and leave you. One day my journey here with you will be done. I'll pack up my bags and hop onto 280 toward home one last time. Just please don't think for a second that when I leave, I'll forget you. I'll never forget the laughter, the friends I have made or how beautiful you are.
War Eagle forever.
