College is a self-cultivating environment where we are allowed, and encouraged, to change and blossom into the person we are meant to be. Forming political alignments, social opinions, and deciding who you are are all very important steps to maturing into an adult. For some people, they were raised one way and remained the same. Others took a hard left turn and went down a completely different path. For kids who grew up in the same school system, with the same classmates and same teachers... change can be really hard. All I can ask is that you don't fear change. Don't fear losing friends over becoming who you are. You most certainly will lose friends along the way but you would've lost them regardless. Focus on becoming who you are and good friends who match will fall into place.
To my best friend, whom I've grown apart from the most. Our views of the world are almost polar opposites. Being attached at the hip from the beginning and living together in college, we've been in a constant state of "annoyed with one another" for almost thirteen years. Yes, we've fought about our opinions and sometimes when the other one rants about their views, we can't help but disagree with our whole being. Yes, we get tired of the other one's incessant talking. I still wouldn't trade you, or our time together, for the world. I have to say I'm a little surprised that we're so different, considering we grew up together and we're growing in college together. We just happen to be growing on separate sides of the tree. Sometimes it might make it a little stressful but I need your opinions to keep me rooted, to remind me that there are other opinions of the world out there and that I need to listen to them too, regardless if they annoy the crap out of me from time to time.
For my other friends and all my "guyfriends" from high school: I miss you all but I'm so proud of each and every one of you. Some of you have blossomed into amazing social and local figures and are really making a name for yourself. Others are planning trips to far off countries. Some are even getting ready to deploy for the military. While we've gone from speaking every day to the occasional five minute long Snapchat conversation, I still hold you near and dear in my heart and I wish you the best of luck in the years to come. Even though we rarely speak, I'm still always going to be in your corner cheering you on.
When you read this, don't worry about speaking to me every day after this. I don't want you to. Our lives have separated for a reason, a greater reason that will pay off in the future. Spare me a thought or a quick text every few months and I'll always promise to do the same for you. While we will come back together during the summer, it won't be the same as before graduation. Don't worry about it. It is all a part of life! I can't wait to see how everyone's changed and see how everyone's grown. I'm sure I'll still be just as proud.
Until next time.
