Over the course of my time at Michigan State, there have been so many moments where I fell in love with this school. And I’m sure we all have our cliche moments we can reflect on. There's always the classic "I fell in love with MSU" at AOP or your first Spartan football game, but for me there were four particular moments on an average Spartan day where I felt this overwhelming love for MSU.
First: It's late August and I just moved into my new dorm room. My parents left a few minutes ago and I took in the fact that I wouldn't see them for a few months. A wave of sadness overwhelmed me for a minute as I realized I was in charge of myself now. I no longer had Mom over my shoulder 24/7 reminding me to grab a jacket or I’ll get an ammonia, making me a sandwich at lunchtime or coming into my room at night to tell me she loved me. Sadness turned into a guilty form of relief because it’s all bittersweet. Leaving behind your family straight up sucks, but being here, on this campus, makes it all worth it.
Second: It’s game day and the campus was packed full of BBQ smelling, beer stained, green and white tents. Thousands of people roamed around singing the fight song and sharing smiles along with an occasional “Go Green!”. Game day is my favorite day to walk around campus. In my opinion, it’s almost impossible to feel “alone” on game day. Even though crowds of strangers invade our campus for the day, each one of them holds the same spirit we have for MSU. I’ve never experienced fans who are so dedicated, friendly and open to share their love for a school until I came here.
Third: I just left my last final of my first semester. As I walk back to the dorm, I take in the campus for a minute, watching students scurry alongside abnormally chubby squirrels, from one final to another. Some students are studying under the trees, other's soaked up the sun ignoring all the sh*t they have to get done before they leave for break. I could pause my life at this moment and probably feel happy forever; being on campus, surrounded by people who love this place as much as I do and free from school. All of those things combined creates the best feeling in the world. My body fills with the weird “in-between” feeling we all get when we have to leave campus for a long period of time. We basically live two lives in college: campus life and home life. We wish we could be in two places at once, but no matter where we go or how long we’re dragged away from campus, we’re constantly reminded of the place we love so dearly. No matter the distance we never stop bleeding green.
Fourth: It's a gloomy 40 degree day. I walk past the Beaumont tower right on time for it to chime at 4:30 p.m. sharp. About a minute further into my walk, I hear the band practicing MSU’s fight song with background noises from a CATA bus driving by (probably at illegal speeds). I breath in the crisp, cold air and even though I'm shivering uncontrollably, I can't help but notice a warm feeling blanketing itself over my body as I take in my environment.
This campus is my home where even through all the stress and rollercoaster ride of emotions take place, the happiness bubbling inside my tummy never seems to simmer flat. Thanks for all the great times, Michigan State. I can't wait for many more to come.
