I've realized it's crazy how you meet people. One day you don't know them, they're just a face on campus and the next thing you know, you're friends. Maybe you don't remember exactly how you met or the monumental day you became close but you realize that through college your circle of friends has grown to expand to hundreds of people. I'm thankful to go to a college where friendships are made so easily, you feel at home and you are one big family. It's normal to feel weird and out of place at first. In my opinion, this is the hardest stage of life. Gaining full independence and spending your life away from what you've always known is definitely not easy, but it is worth it. This time a year ago, I didn't know a single one of you... except the you that I saw on the AU 2019 Facebook page. I had no idea what I was walking into. The only thing I knew was that my little small town world was about to be flipped upside down and I was only a few short days away from moving four hours from home. There were times I was scared and nervous. Times that I was afraid I was making the wrong decision. Times that I thought about how much easier it would be for me to just stay home. But I didn't. I made the trek to my new home the day after I turned 18 because apparently at 18, you're considered an adult... Like why? I mean, really?

And today as I look back, I have realized what an amazing thing that God has done for me. If it wasn't for my small, Jesus-praising university I would have never met any of you. I would have never known the sweet, beautiful people outside of my dainty little southern society.

I guess it hit me hard when I really started dwelling on it. God is good and God is faithful and God brought me a good and faithful group of people to share my joys and my trials with and to show me hearts filled with love, kindness, and Jesus Christ.

He brought me to a place where I could be lifted up and surrounded me with people who lift me up. He brought me to AU to give me some of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for and for that I will forever be grateful.

So here's to you, my lifelong friends. Thank you for letting me cry on your shoulder, borrow your clothes, buying me soup when I'm sick, and for being the people I needed to help me as we all were on a new adventure. Here's to many more adventures with your not-so-adventurous bestie. New year, new memories, same friends.

(P.S.: Freshmen-- Things will be awkward at first. Getting acquainted with college life, in general, is a huge transition, much less making new friends and finding new people to be your people. But say hey, sit with someone in one of your classes in the Caf, and embrace this stage of your life. You only get four years, make the most of it.)