"Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she died
It's time now to sing out
Though the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends." - "Seasons of Love" from "Rent"
Friends. What are they? To me, I feel as if friends are treasures. They are the people you want in your life. My mom used to tell me friends were the family you choose. In my case, I go to my friends about everything. They are my foundation. Without them, I would be nothing. People come and go, but friends (especially the good ones) are there through it all.
When I think of this song from "Rent," I think of how blessed I am to have the friends I do. They understand me even when I don't understand myself. When I was at the lowest I could be, my friends never left my side. They stood by me and never complained.
Because of my friends, I am the person I am today. Because of Andy, I learned to have courage. Because of Morgan, I learned to love myself for who I am. Because of Dustin and Anna, I learned to love theatre. Because of the girls -- Monica, Caryn, Susan and Lauren -- I learned that you don't have to be alone. Because of Macy, I learned how important our walk with Christ is. And this is just the beginning. My friends have taught me so many important lessons, and this has only been in the span of a year. Friends are the ones who love you even if you don't love yourself. Treasure the moments with your friends, for every one of them is as precious as gold.
When coming to Carson Newman, I was nervous about finding friends... never did I think I would be blessed with the many wonderful people I have met. Every moment spent with my friends is a moment I treasure. I will hold them close to my heart forever. Sometimes you move away, sometimes you are distanced, but you always have the memories to treasure. You can never measure how powerful the moments you spend with your friends are. Friendship can't be measured, but you can measure in love.
