Entering college as a freshman is downright scary. I️t forces you out of that comfort zone called high school that we were allowed to be in for 4 years. New city, new people, new surroundings, new everything. It's a brand new start that would be tough to conquer all alone.

Making friends is crucial as is choosing the right ones. You need friends. Seriously. Just someone to ask questions to, to talk to, to eat lunch with, to walk around campus with, as you are getting the hang of things. I️ knew this going into college, but what I️ did not know is that these people would become so much more than friends to grab lunch with or girls to sit next to in class. These people would become my absolute lifelong best friends.

So, to my college besties:

You rock. I️ don’t mean to sound cliché, but I️ really do not know what I️ would do without you.
From laughing until we cry, to the loudest jam sessions ever, to pulling all-nighters, to going on spontaneous trips to Waffle House, the list goes on and on and on.

These things are great, but I️ want you to know that it goes far beyond just this surface.

You accept me.

Even my weird, sometimes emotionally unstable, overly sarcastic, stubborn, awkward self.

You know me at my best and at my worst, on my happiest days and on my saddest days. You know my strengths and my weaknesses, my history, my secrets, you name it. Regardless of it all, yousee me for me.

Because of you, I️ am able to truly love and be loved.

You hold me accountable and care.

Seriously, because of you I️ am motivated to skip that nap to study for the test and because of you I️ am motivated to set my alarm for 8 a.m. so that I️ make it to church on Sunday mornings. Believe it or not, I even sometimes avoid that last energy drink or coffee of the day because you are genuinely worried about the possibility of a caffeine overdose.

Your opinions truly matter to me, because I know that you have my best interest at heart.

From my lunch date, lab partner, and study buddy to my shoulder to cry on, my support system, and future bridesmaid. My accountability partner, my human diary, my lifeline, and forever sister in Christ. You are all of it and so much more.

"A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

I️ prayed for weeks and weeks leading up to my start of college that God would give me these sweet friendships.

As freshman year draws to an end, I still thank God daily for answering this prayer. For allowing my soul to be refreshed daily through our many adventures and laughs and talks.

I have realized that college is not about the place you are at, but rather the people you surround yourself with in that place. I will not remember the sidewalks here, but rather the people I walked them with. Not the doors or the buildings, but the people I entered them with. Not the spots that held my happiest moments here, but the people that were with me actually making those moments the happiest.

My college besties, thank you for being you. You are beautiful, cherished, valued, appreciated, loved.

Here’s to the precious memories of our past, the exciting experiences in our future, and to our never-ending friendship.

Love always,
Your college bestie