Anyone who knows me knows that I can barely make it through a conversation without mentioning how much I love Saint Mary's College. From the first time I walked down the Avenue, I was in love with everything about Saint Mary's and I was not afraid to make it known. Soon my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat were all filled with moments capturing how much I loved my school and my fellow Belles.
By the time I came back home for fall break of my first year, I was madly in love with all things Saint Mary's. I brought home all of my new apparel so that my family would know just how many activities I had joined (or was at least on the email list for). I talked with my friends still in high school about how they were basically wasting their time because the best times of their lives would not actually start until they got to college. I talked to all my friends about how I was actually at the best school and despite their schools having Starbucks and fast food restaurants on campus mine was still better. By the end of freshman year, both my friends and family were absolutely sick of me talking about Saint Mary's and asked me to please wear some type of "normal" clothing.
As I approach my senior year at Saint Mary's College, I stand by all of the Facebook statuses, Tweets, Instagram pictures and endless Snapchats about my school. I refuse to say sorry for finding so much joy in just a few buildings, a lake and an endless amount of squirrels. Saint Mary's College is so much more than just the all women's college across the street from Notre Dame, it's my second and forever home.
I fell in love with Saint Mary's because from the very moment I stepped foot on campus I was greeted by smiling faces that I still continue to see from my fellow Belles every single day. I fell in love with Saint Mary's because I have met some of my best friends despite the miles that separate us when we aren't at our second home. I fell in love with Saint Mary's because despite the fierce competition between fellow Belles on the field and in the classroom, no one will be there faster to pick you up if you’ve fallen or struggled. I fell in love with Saint Mary’s because I’ve yet to find a more empowering place for twenty-something women.
Each day when I get to wake up and walk down the hall to see my friends in Holy Cross or I see them in the DH, the library, by Lake Marion, or on the field, I am forever reminded of my love for Saint Mary’s. So, sorry not sorry for filling all of your social media with my love for my fellow Belles and all things Saint Mary’s and I can only hope that one day you’ll be able to make a pit stop in South Bend and see the beautiful place I get to call home because I guarantee you’ll fall in love with it too.
