Dear Knight Hall,

You've treated me pretty well so far this year. Even though we've had our ups and downs, you're my home for the time that I'm at Arcadia. You aren't my home because you're the building that I live in, you're my home because of the people who live here and because of your atmosphere. I've already made countless memories in my suite and in the halls you hold, and I'm going to address just a few of them.

The first memory that comes to mind is move-in day. I was an anxious mess that day as I went up to Suite 301 for the first time. Boxes and bags were all over the place, and it was all so overwhelming. I met my roommate for the first time, as well as the seven other girls who would be living in our suite. I had no idea where to put what, and I had no idea how to decorate my room. That was my first taste of pure freedom, and it was both exhilarating and terrifying.

I realized as my first semester began that you are on the outskirts of the campus. I guess having our own bathrooms in our suite has to come at a price, right? My daily walks from your location across campus to Murphy Hall for class have become a necessary evil. It's especially evil the days my legs are dead after lifts. Going from my room up to the softball field is another long walk that has become part of my routine. The only good thing about where you sit is that you're right next to the Registrar's Office, and a short walk from the Library and the Dining Hall (which I rarely use anyway).

Then came one of the days of my first semester that I'll never forget. I've always felt bad for Heinz Hall, our neighbor, because the fire alarms are always going off. But Knight Hall had always been pretty peaceful when it came to fire drills and alarms, and I was grateful for that. But one dreaded day I was getting ready for class, and our fire alarm went off for the first time. I made a mental note to find out who set it off. You were screaming at us to get out, and I panicked and left the bathroom. I saw smoke billowing out from our microwave, and I immediately lost all color in my face, because

It was my mac n' cheese. I was in such a rush that I had forgotten to put water in my mac n' cheese.

That day was the day I reeked of smoke and was hated by everyone who lived in your halls. I haven't made my own mac n' cheese since that day, and I don't think I'll make it for a long time.

Even though we've had some rough times, we've also had some good times. I was lucky enough to get the coolest suite mates, which is like having another little family. We made brownies (made from Oreos, cookies, and brownie batter) together before finals week last semester, we stayed up late in the night laughing and talking about who knows what, and we've always been able to go to each other for advice and support. My suite has become my safe haven where I can be myself. You've surrounded me with the most amazing people, and I'm so thankful for that.

You've also watched the journey of my first year of college. You've watched me have mental breakdowns and anxiety attacks, and you've watched me push myself and become stronger than I thought I could be. You've seen me ready to fall apart, and you've seen me when I've felt at the top of the world. No matter how well or how bad I did on a paper or an exam, no matter how well or how terribly I did in practice or in a workout, and no matter how broken I felt, you accepted me and welcomed me with open arms.

For that, thank you, Knight Hall.