For those of you who know me (or those of you that read my introverted article), you know that I am not the most socially capable person in the world. In regards to friends, I am not quick to make them and I'm easy to lose them, so when friends stick around I know they are true. This is an ode to those friends, new friends and old. Friends far and friends near. This is to you and all that you are, and a thank you for sticking around this far.

The friends near, those who I've made in college just this year, this is for you. This is to staying up late at night, getting together and gathering around real close, shoulder to shoulder, to play games for hours. This is to inside jokes and humor that doesn't need to be explained (or can't for that matter). This is to "dinner at 5:30?" and Karaoke at 9:00. To Walmart runs and to Taco Bell at 1:00 in the morning. Although we've only known each other for a semester, I feel as if I have known you forever. We belong, although each of us is so diverse in our own ways. We've gathered from states far and wide, from families and backgrounds foreign, and we're resided here together, playing card games and laughing until tears fall from our eyes. Each of us secretly wondering what the next four years will hold.

Friends far, old friends who have been there since the beginning, this is for you. This is to employers, to kids that I've nannied. To teachers, to friends that I've known since elementary school. This is for all the friends I left behind, but to those I won't soon forget. This is to high school, and not being able to wait until graduation. This is to now wishing that one class had lasted just a little bit longer, and that college applications didn't come upon us too quickly. This is to being together from the time we learned how to tie our shoes to struggling through calculus a few years later. This is to those summers in which we filled with concerts, hikes, and stargazing. This is to our hometown and the 12 years we spent together, and a promise to always come back to you.

This is an ode to friends and all that they stand for. This is an ode to inside jokes and shoulders to cry on. An ode late-night conversations about life, to knowing what's best for one another. This is an ode to shared homework answers and group projects. To quick, lunch-break stories, and working hard to earn the money to see that new movie coming out next week. This is an ode to sticking together when times get tough, and knowing how to enjoy life when it comes easy. This is an ode to all that you've taught me, and an ode to a joint future close at hand. To memories old, new, and to come. To friends now, to friends then, and friends forever.

This is an ode to you and a thank you from me. You're the best friends I could have possibly asked for.