It was just about a year ago that we all made the decision to leave each other’s sides and embark on our own journeys to different universities. This decision was a well thought out and articulated one, but the reality of being separated didn’t seem to hit us until the first day of Freshmen Orientation. There are not enough ways for me to express how much I miss each and every single one of you - I can’t wait for summer. Most of us look forward to summer because it means going to the beach, getting a tan, a summer fling or two, and no classes. For me, it’s because summer is when I am going to be reunited with each of you wonderful people.

I miss our “adventures” to Cars Late Night Delivery, I miss our “girls nights” when we’d order take out while discussing the chaos in our lives. I miss our jam sessions when we’d belt out to "This is How We Do," "Hideaway," "Let It Go," and "G.O.M.D." in the car. I miss being on the same volleyball team and always being practice partners. I miss our trips to the gym when we’d bond over the fact that “summer is soon, we need to get in shape” madness. I miss our walks around the second level of our high school. I miss our trips to Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, and Ridgewood Coffee Company because we all share a never-ending love of coffee. I miss the nights when we’d laugh so hard we would cry. I miss getting ready for parties together and planning what to wear for a night out. I miss our trips to Raymond’s, when we’d order the same thing every single time. I miss you all so much it hurts.

Going to college is really hard without all of your closest friends by your side. But I think that all of us going our separate ways really allowed me to appreciate our friendship even more. I know that all of you will always be right by my side (even if it’s only through FaceTime or text message) through every curveball that life throws my way. I am counting down the days to summer, not only because I want to be done with finals, but also because that means I will be reunited with the best people in my life. The wise words of Lilo and Stitch say, “Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind”, and although some of us are on opposite coasts, none of us got left behind. Distance means so little when the people far away mean so much to you. You’re family, you’re my best friends, and I am so incredibly lucky and fortunate to have every single one of you as a part of this crazy adventure we call life.